RESUMO
The college years represent a key opportunity for broadening the future gerontology workforce by introducing students to the aging content that may influence their career decisions, yet this content is often limited to students with behavioral health and health professions majors. The present study sought to determine the degree to which a Midwestern university's general education course on aging could increase learning, interest, knowledge, and ability to use knowledge for undergraduates across multiple fields of study. Participants included 560 undergraduate students, 48% of which were health professions majors, 28% behavioral health majors, and 23% majors in other fields. While all groups reported significant increases in learning, knowledge, and interest in aging studies, ANOVA found significant differences by students' field of study in reported ability to apply course knowledge in their career or organization. As demand increases for workers versed in the needs of the older adult population, it will be important for educators to incorporate career connections into aging studies coursework and make abundantly clear how students in all fields of study are necessary for the future gerontological workforce.
RESUMO
Epilepsy is one of the most common disabling neurological disorders, but significant gaps exist in our knowledge about childhood epilepsy in rural populations. The present study assessed the prevalence of pediatric epilepsy in nine low-income rural counties in the Midwestern United States overall and by gender, age, etiology, seizure type, and syndrome. Multiple sources of case identification were used, including medical records, schools, community agencies, and family interviews. The prevalence of active epilepsy was 5.0/1000. Prevalence was 5.1/1000 in males and 5.0/1000 in females. Differences by age group and gender were not statistically significant. Future research should focus on methods of increasing study participation in rural communities, particularly those in which research studies are rare.
Assuntos
Epilepsia/economia , Epilepsia/epidemiologia , Pobreza/economia , População Rural , Adolescente , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Epilepsia/diagnóstico , Feminino , Humanos , Lactente , Recém-Nascido , Kansas/epidemiologia , Masculino , Prontuários Médicos , Meio-Oeste dos Estados Unidos/epidemiologia , Prevalência , Características de ResidênciaRESUMO
Social capital, or a sense of partnership leading to shared goals, provides a means for addressing today's public health workforce challenges. This concept is particularly important in underserved rural areas, though efforts to intentionally generate social capital have been limited. Within the rural state of Kansas, the Kansas Public Health Leadership Institute (KPHLI) has implemented a social capital pre/post assessment to quantify the impact of KPHLI training on social capital within the state's decentralized public health system. This paper discusses 38 assessment items related to bonding, bridging and linking social capital. The assessment was completed pre and post training by 130 of 148 scholars (87.8%) in six KPHLI training cycles. Data were analyzed using Wilcoxon paired t-tests in SPSS. Thirty-five of 38 items demonstrated statistically significant increases at post-test, across all 10 sub-domains. Leadership training by the KPHLI fosters quantifiable increases in characteristics of social capital, which are essential for public health systems to cope with increased workforce demands and prepare for accreditation. This study represents a key first step in examining the deliberate generation of social capital within a decentralized rural environment.
Assuntos
Educação Profissional em Saúde Pública , Liderança , Saúde Pública , Apoio Social , Acreditação , Adulto , Idoso , Estudos de Coortes , Feminino , Humanos , Kansas , Masculino , Área Carente de Assistência Médica , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Saúde Pública/educação , População Rural , Recursos Humanos , Adulto JovemRESUMO
Previous public health leadership training research has assessed regional or national programs or evaluated program effectiveness qualitatively. Although these methods are valuable, state-level program impact has not been evaluated quantitatively. Public health core and leadership competency assessments are administered pre and post Kansas Public Health Leadership Institute training (N = 94). Wilcoxon signed rank tests note significant increases by each competency domain. Data are stratified by years of experience, level of education, and urban or rural status, and correlations calculated using Spearman's rho tests in SPSS/PC 14.0. Post training, participants improve significantly in all competency domains (p < .001). Participants with lower education, fewer years of experience, and rural status improve more in certain core competency domains. Lower education and rural status correlate with greater improvement in certain leadership competency domains. Similar assessment methods can be used by other public health education programs to ensure that programs appropriately train specific workforce populations for national accreditation.
Assuntos
Educação Profissional em Saúde Pública/organização & administração , Liderança , Competência Profissional , Adulto , Idoso , Estudos de Coortes , Educação Profissional em Saúde Pública/normas , Escolaridade , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Características de Residência , Fatores Socioeconômicos , Fatores de TempoRESUMO
OBJECTIVES: To explore and compare attitudes toward and practices of non-therapeutic male circumcision (NTMC) between immigrants and non-immigrants. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted 8 focus groups involving 44 participants of the lay public (21 immigrants and 23 non-immigrants) and 14 extended interviews with physicians (9 family physicians and 5 pediatricians). RESULTS: Four themes regarding NTMC were identified: knowledge and awareness, benefits and drawbacks, Medicaid and American Academy of Pediatrics practices and recommendations, and medical and cultural competence issues. CONCLUSIONS: The influx of immigrants may decrease the incidence of NTMC in the United States. Health professionals need to be culturally competent in interacting with both immigrants and non-immigrants regarding NTMC-related issues.
Assuntos
Atitude Frente a Saúde/etnologia , Circuncisão Masculina/etnologia , Emigrantes e Imigrantes , Adolescente , Adulto , Competência Cultural , Feminino , Grupos Focais , Humanos , Recém-Nascido , Kansas , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Médicos , Padrões de Prática Médica , Estados UnidosRESUMO
This research includes a study of body mass index (BMI) measurement for 11-year-old students (n = 174) within a rural county during the 2005-2006 academic year. School entry assessments were used to determine students' individual BMIs longitudinally and determine prevalence of risk of overweight (weighted for gender and age). Results were provided to county school districts and communities, which used the data to determine policy and curriculum changes related to school wellness program planning and development, develop wellness activities, and pursue funding support. This study has implications for data collection and school health program development within a rural setting.
Assuntos
Pesquisa Participativa Baseada na Comunidade , Promoção da Saúde/métodos , Obesidade/prevenção & controle , População Rural , Índice de Massa Corporal , Criança , Feminino , Humanos , Kansas/epidemiologia , Masculino , Obesidade/epidemiologia , Desenvolvimento de ProgramasRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To assess changes in knowledge, attitudes, and intentions among childcare workers before and after an asthma-management-education session. METHODS: Between May and August 2004 five asthma-education sessions were provided for childcare workers from Sonoma County, California. A total of 71 childcare workers came to the sessions. Before and after each session we assessed the participants' knowledge, attitudes, and intentions about asthma. RESULTS: Participant knowledge of asthma causes (eg, air quality, common cold) and interventions (eg, bronchodilators), asthma trigger control plans, ability to identify a child who needs medical attention for asthma, and comfort level with caring for a child with asthma increased significantly. Their knowledge about asthma triggers, early warning signs, and asthma control plans was high before and after the asthma education intervention. Their stated intentions to utilize their asthma knowledge were high before and after the training, which may indicate willingness to implement knowledge and attitude change. CONCLUSIONS: Asthma education can improve childcare workers' knowledge about asthma-control strategies and attitudes toward asthma interventions.
Assuntos
Asma/prevenção & controle , Cuidadores/psicologia , Creches , Educação em Saúde/organização & administração , Conhecimentos, Atitudes e Prática em Saúde , Adulto , Asma/diagnóstico , Asma/epidemiologia , California , Criança , Escolaridade , Humanos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Projetos Piloto , Prevalência , Avaliação de Programas e Projetos de Saúde , Adulto JovemRESUMO
Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders worldwide, and the majority of people with epilepsy who live in developed countries manage their condition with antiseizure medication. Surprisingly, therefore, the literature on epilepsy does not document a comprehensive investigation of patient adherence to medication treatment. This paper reviews existing literature on direct and indirect measures of adherence. Based on this review, areas in need for further research have been identified, including improvement of self-report instruments, consideration of cultural factors, attention to patient literacy or numeracy levels, and inclusion of patient-guided measures. While no single method of determining adherence has proved effective, combining direct and indirect measures in a patient-guided, culturally competent atmosphere may increase adherence to treatment, improving health outcomes for this population.
Assuntos
Anticonvulsivantes/uso terapêutico , Epilepsia/tratamento farmacológico , Fidelidade a Diretrizes/estatística & dados numéricos , Cooperação do Paciente/estatística & dados numéricos , Padrões de Prática Médica/tendências , Anticonvulsivantes/análise , Anticonvulsivantes/sangue , Cognição , Cultura , Previsões , Cabelo/química , Comportamentos Relacionados com a Saúde , Humanos , Educação de Pacientes como Assunto , Saliva/químicaRESUMO
Coordinating and integrating mental health topics into emergency preparedness planning is a critical step for ensuring effective response to the psychological issues connected with trauma. In order to remedy the current lack of integration, potential response providers must receive effective mental health preparedness training. The current study provided mental health preparedness training to public health and allied health professionals in Kansas and assessed the impact of the training on perceived mental health preparedness knowledge. Participants included 157 potential first and secondary responders from public health and allied fields who attended one of 10 training presentations on mental health emergency preparedness. Pre- and post-presentation, participants responded to six Likert-scale questions about their perceived knowledge of topics and level of mental health preparedness. Questions addressed common psychological responses to disaster or terrorist events, stress reactions of specific populations, psychological resiliency, mental health preparedness integration, and level of agency preparedness. Post-training, participants reported statistically significant (p<0.001) increases in perceived level of knowledge on all topics. Participants were also significantly more likely (p<0.001) to report that their agency could respond to the mental health issues related to a disaster or emergency. The current study provides data about gaps in practitioner knowledge regarding mental health preparedness in Kansas. While the self-report nature of responses is a limitation, these findings serve as the first step toward producing and implementing effective mental health preparedness information and training on a wide scale.
Assuntos
Pessoal Técnico de Saúde/educação , Planejamento em Desastres , Conhecimentos, Atitudes e Prática em Saúde , Saúde Mental , Adulto , Pessoal Técnico de Saúde/psicologia , Serviços de Emergência Psiquiátrica , Feminino , Inquéritos Epidemiológicos , Humanos , Kansas , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Prática de Saúde PúblicaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Coordinated school health programs (CSHPs) bring together educational and community resources in the school environment. This method is particularly important in rural areas like Kansas, where resources and trained health professionals are in short supply. Rural Stafford County, Kansas, struggles with health professional shortages and a low-income, high-need population. METHODS: In 2001, Stafford County's Unified School District 349 began a multiyear CSHP development process, which required adaptations for implementation in a rural area. First, a CSHP team was formed of community and administrative stakeholders as well as school system representatives. Next, the CSHP team assessed school district demographics so the program framework could be targeted to health needs. During a yearlong planning phase, the CSHP team determined 4 priority areas for program development, as limited staff and funds precluded developing programs in all 8 traditional CSHP areas. Program activities were tailored to the population demographics and available resources. RESULTS: Program outcomes were supported by School Health Index (SHI) data. Of the 8 CSHP focus areas, the SHI found high scores in 3 of the Stafford CSHP's priority areas: Health Services; Psychological, Counseling, and Social Services; and Physical Education. The fourth Stafford CSHP priority area, Nutrition Services, scored similarly to the less prioritized areas. CONCLUSIONS: The process by which the Stafford school district modified and implemented CSHP methods can serve as a model for CSHPs in other rural, high-need areas.
Assuntos
Serviços de Saúde Comunitária , Renda , Pobreza , Desenvolvimento de Programas , Serviços de Saúde Rural , Serviços de Saúde Escolar , Criança , Proteção da Criança , Demografia , Planejamento em Saúde , Nível de Saúde , Indicadores Básicos de Saúde , Humanos , Kansas , Educação Física e Treinamento , Fatores SocioeconômicosRESUMO
Much research has been done into tobacco use portrayals in film since the mid-twentieth century, but the earlier years of Hollywood history have been overlooked. Yet the first decades of the twentieth century saw annual per capita cigarette consumption increase from under 100 in 1900 upto 1,500 in 1930. The current study looks at frequency and context (gender, age range, socioeconomic status, type of portrayal) of tobacco use in 20 top-grossing silent films spanning the silent feature era (1915-1928). The sample averaged 23.31 tobacco uses per hour. Tobacco use was most often associated with positive characterizations, working/middle class status, masculinity, and youth. Previous research has verified the influence of the film industry on tobacco consumption in modern years, and this potential connection should not be ignored for the silent film era. Top-grossing silent films set a precedent for positive media portrayals of substance use that have persisted to the present day.
Assuntos
Filmes Cinematográficos/estatística & dados numéricos , Saúde Pública/tendências , Fumar/tendências , Classe Social , Adulto , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Filmes Cinematográficos/tendências , Fatores de TempoRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: The coordination and integration of mental health agencies' plans into disaster responses is a critical step for ensuring effective response to all-hazard emergencies. PROBLEM: In order to remedy the current lack of integration of mental health into emergency preparedness training, researchers must assess mental health emergency preparedness training needs. To date, no recognized assessment exists. The current study addresses this need by qualitatively surveying public health and allied health professionals regarding mental health preparedness in Kansas. METHODS: Participants included 144 professionals from public health and allied fields, all of whom attended one of seven training presentations on mental health preparedness. Following each presentation, participants provided written responses to nine qualitative questions about preparedness and mental health preparedness needs, as well as demographic information, and a program evaluation. Survey questions addressed perceptions of bioterrorism and mental health preparedness, perceptions about resource and training needs, as well as coordination of preparedness efforts. RESULTS: Overall, few respondents indicated that they felt their county or community was prepared to respond to an attack. Respondents felt less prepared for mental health issues than they did for preparedness issues in general. The largest proportion of respondents reported that they would look to a community mental health center or the state health department for mental health preparedness information. Most respondents recognized the helpfulness of interagency coordination for mental health preparedness, and reported a willingness to take an active role in coordination. CONCLUSIONS: The current study provides important data about the gaps regarding mental health preparedness in Kansas. This study demonstrates the present lack of preparedness and the need for coordination to reach an appropriate level of mental health preparedness for the state. These findings are the first step to implementing effective distribution of information and training.
Assuntos
Atitude do Pessoal de Saúde , Prestação Integrada de Cuidados de Saúde/organização & administração , Planejamento em Desastres/organização & administração , Serviços de Emergência Psiquiátrica/organização & administração , Administração em Saúde Pública/normas , Adulto , Pessoal Técnico de Saúde/psicologia , Planejamento em Desastres/normas , Feminino , Necessidades e Demandas de Serviços de Saúde , Humanos , Relações Interinstitucionais , Kansas , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Prática de Saúde Pública , Pesquisa Qualitativa , Inquéritos e QuestionáriosRESUMO
As individuals directly impacted by their experience of epilepsy and others' responses to it, epilepsy patients' opinions about education and awareness issues are needed. A community-based participatory approach was used to develop a survey of public and patient attitudes and perceptions about epilepsy, which was administered to persons with epilepsy. The majority of the 165 respondents (34% response rate) indicated they perceive misperceptions and stigma related to epilepsy in the general public, which they thought could be ameliorated through educational interventions. Respondents indicated potential avenues of educational intervention for the general public as well as for those with epilepsy, with recommended content and intervention type depending on target audience. The community-based participatory research process and the patients' perceptions gathered through the resulting survey indicate potential activities for overcoming stigma and increasing education and awareness related to epilepsy.
Assuntos
Conscientização , Escolaridade , Epilepsia , Conhecimentos, Atitudes e Prática em Saúde , Percepção/fisiologia , Características de Residência , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Epilepsia/epidemiologia , Epilepsia/fisiopatologia , Epilepsia/psicologia , Feminino , Inquéritos Epidemiológicos , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Inquéritos e QuestionáriosRESUMO
Despite increasing attention to academic-practice partnerships for health practice and workforce development, guidelines for how to implement such partnerships are few. The Kansas Public Health Workforce and Leadership Development (WALD) Center provides a successful example of such a partnership. The WALD Center implements public health education and training projects through a collaborative process of health needs identification, program conceptualization, research, and program evaluation. Such coordination allows for continuous practitioner-oriented program development and the sharing of a rural state's scarce resources between interconnected projects. The WALD Center's methods provide a model for academic-practice partnerships for community health practice and workforce development, even in environments with scarce health resources.
Assuntos
Serviços de Saúde Comunitária/organização & administração , Educação Médica Continuada/organização & administração , Relações Interinstitucionais , Admissão e Escalonamento de Pessoal/organização & administração , Faculdades de Medicina/organização & administração , Universidades/organização & administração , Competência Clínica , Comportamento Cooperativo , Humanos , Capacitação em Serviço/organização & administração , Kansas , Liderança , Modelos Organizacionais , Avaliação das Necessidades , Avaliação de Resultados em Cuidados de Saúde , Desenvolvimento de Programas , Avaliação de Programas e Projetos de Saúde , Saúde Pública , Serviços de Saúde Rural/organização & administraçãoRESUMO
PURPOSE: Epilepsy is a chronic neurological illness that affects 2.7 million people in the United States, but remains poorly understood. Care providers may not recognize their patients' need for epilepsy information, contributing to treatment barriers, such as stigmatization and poor patient-provider communication. METHODS: The current study piloted a survey of epilepsy-related attitudes and perceptions of 33 Midwestern neurologists. The survey included questions about perceived barriers to and motivators for treatment, thoughts on misperceptions of epilepsy in the community and in the patient population, and potential interventions to address misperceptions. RESULTS: Respondents perceived misinformation and lack of knowledge in patients and the general public that could be contributing to the barriers that exist to treat patients adequately. Respondents suggested potential methods for addressing misperceptions effectively. DISCUSSION: This study of neurologists' perceptions about epilepsy barriers and needs provides an important perspective for the development of interventions to address misperceptions and barriers among patients and the public.
Assuntos
Atitude do Pessoal de Saúde , Motivação , Neurologia , Aceitação pelo Paciente de Cuidados de Saúde , Adolescente , Adulto , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Coleta de Dados , Escolaridade , Epilepsia/epidemiologia , Epilepsia/psicologia , Feminino , Acessibilidade aos Serviços de Saúde , Humanos , Lactente , Masculino , Pessoas sem Cobertura de Seguro de Saúde/estatística & dados numéricos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Meio-Oeste dos Estados Unidos/epidemiologia , Projetos Piloto , Grupos Raciais , Apoio Social , Estereotipagem , Inquéritos e Questionários , Meios de Transporte/normasRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: This project tested visual schedules and social stories in a physical education setting in order to increase the physical activity of developmentally disabled students. METHOD: This cohort study design involved 17 physical education teachers in a training course with an initial survey and 7-month post-survey. The initial survey assessed participant experience with developmentally disabled students, visual schedules and social stories. The post-survey assessed usage of, effectiveness of, and satisfaction with visual schedules and social stories in a physical education setting. RESULTS: On the initial survey, 100% of the participants reported that they work with developmentally disabled students and 24% reported little to no training in working with this population. On the post-survey, 75% of the participants reported using visual schedules in their teaching and 64% found them to be "effective" or "very effective". Six percent used social stories in their teaching, reporting them as 100% "very effective". CONCLUSION: There is an indication that visual schedules and social stories are effective learning tools in the physical education setting, increasing opportunities for developmentally disabled students to be physically active. However, additional resources and training are needed in order for physical education teachers to implement these tools widely in their classes.
Assuntos
Comunicação , Compreensão , Deficiências do Desenvolvimento/reabilitação , Educação de Pessoa com Deficiência Intelectual , Capacitação em Serviço , Educação Física e Treinamento , Comportamento Social , Adulto , Atenção , Recursos Audiovisuais , Criança , Deficiências do Desenvolvimento/psicologia , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Materiais de EnsinoRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: Rising health care costs, increased demand for clinical services, and reimbursement difficulties created a funding shortage among local health departments in the state of Kansas. This intervention established regional billing groups to provide professional support and increase third-party reimbursement. DESIGN: Through feedback sessions, billing clerks provided qualitative responses about training needs. These informed the process of establishing billing groups in each state health district. SAMPLE: All billing clerks in the state's 6 regional health districts were invited to participate, as were insurance and billing software representatives. INTERVENTION: Between April 2002 and September 2004, 6 collaborative groups were established. Billing clerks received professional support and training from peers, insurance representatives, and software providers. An interagency billing advisory team was established to coordinate training activities between groups. RESULTS: These groups have allowed local health departments to increase reimbursement revenue by 50%-75%, allowing for the provision of expanded health services to client populations. CONCLUSIONS: These methods can serve as a model for other states, particularly those with considerable rural populations or decentralized health care systems. Still, funding shortages persist, and public health billing clerks will continue to need ongoing training in the most current and effective billing methods.
Assuntos
Contabilidade/organização & administração , Atitude do Pessoal de Saúde , Benchmarking/organização & administração , Enfermagem em Saúde Pública/organização & administração , Mecanismo de Reembolso/organização & administração , Necessidades e Demandas de Serviços de Saúde , Humanos , Capacitação em Serviço/organização & administração , Relações Interprofissionais , Kansas , Secretárias de Consultório Médico/organização & administração , Secretárias de Consultório Médico/psicologia , Papel do Profissional de Enfermagem/psicologia , Pesquisa Metodológica em Enfermagem , Avaliação de Resultados em Cuidados de Saúde , Avaliação de Programas e Projetos de Saúde , Pesquisa Qualitativa , Programas Médicos Regionais/organização & administração , Apoio SocialRESUMO
The Kansas Statewide Farmworker Health Program (KSFHP) has developed a unique set of culturally competent health interventions in response to the pressing public health needs of the state's underserved farmworker population. Key among these are its health education and translation efforts on behalf of the fast-growing Low German-speaking Mexican Mennonite farmworker population. Linguistic, religious, and cultural values have created unique and complex health disparities and barriers to care that can be broken down only through innovative approaches. KSFHP first conducted a health needs assessment survey of the farmworker population in 2003, which indicated prenatal care practices as a significant health disparity, especially among the Low German-speaking Mexican Mennonite population. In response, KSFHP successfully lobbied the state health department to implement a new standard of health behavior data collection that includes primary language data as a method of delineating population subgroups, making Kansas one of the first two states in the country to collect this information. KSFHP also developed culturally competent Low German-language recordings on health topics such as prenatal care in accordance with the information delivery needs of the Low German-speaking Mexican Mennonite farmworker population. Currently, a pilot program is in progress that offers additional outreach, health education, and interpretation, among other services. The work of the KSFHP has significant implications for further research into health disparities, specialized minority populations, and culturally competent data collection methods.
Assuntos
Agricultura , Comportamentos Relacionados com a Saúde/etnologia , Educação em Saúde , Americanos Mexicanos/educação , Cuidado Pré-Natal/organização & administração , Administração em Saúde Pública , Serviços de Saúde Rural/organização & administração , Migrantes/classificação , Adolescente , Adulto , Feminino , Humanos , Kansas , Idioma , Masculino , Avaliação das Necessidades , Saúde Ocupacional , Estudos de Casos Organizacionais , Gravidez , Desenvolvimento de Programas , Protestantismo , Fatores Socioeconômicos , Materiais de Ensino , Migrantes/educação , Estados UnidosRESUMO
Recent studies have assessed preparedness training and the resource needs of public health and clinical professionals in responding to a crisis, but few have assessed the needs of the general public, especially in rural areas. The present study, based in a risk assessment and information-seeking theoretical framework, assessed the preparedness awareness, knowledge, and attitudes of the general public in a rural state through a series of focus groups. Six focus groups were conducted with 34 participants in 4 locations in Kansas (2 urban and 2 rural). Focus group interviews followed a standardized script. Participants from all 4 locations reported training and knowledge needs and desired training, knowledge, and emergency preparedness plans. Certain groups also reported a lack of familiarity with preparedness terminology, as well as different ideas about trusted sources and agencies responsible for providing preparedness training or information. Some diverging opinions from these focus groups were stratified by urban/rural status, indicating possible implications for future all-hazards training in rural regions of the nation. These results may be used for planning and improving training for the general public in both urban and rural areas.