Feasibility of describing community strengths relative to Omaha system concepts.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose was to determine the feasibility of using a standardized language, the Omaha System, to describe community-level strengths. The objectives were: (a) to evaluate the feasibility of using the Omaha System at the community level to reflect community strengths and (b) to describe preliminary results of community strengths observations across international settings. DESIGN AND SAMPLE: A descriptive qualitative design was used. The sample was a data set of 284 windshield surveys by nursing students in 5 countries: Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Turkey, and the United States. MEASURES: An online survey included a checklist and open-ended questions on community strengths for 11 concepts of the Omaha System Problem Classification Scheme: Income, Sanitation, Residence, Neighborhood/workplace safety, Communication with community resources, Social contact, Interpersonal relationship, Spirituality, Nutrition, Substance use, and Health care supervision. Themes were derived through content analysis of responses to the open-ended questions. RESULTS: Feasibility was demonstrated: Students were able to use the Omaha System terms and collect data on strengths. Common themes were described among the five countries. CONCLUSIONS: The Omaha System appears to be useful in documenting community-level strengths. Themes and exemplar quotes provide a first step in developing operational definitions of strengths at a more granular level.

Risk factors for alcohol consumption in adolescents students / Fatores de risco para o consumo de álcool em adolescentes estudantes / Factores de riesgo para el consumo de alcohol en adolescentes estudiantes

This is a qualitative and descriptive work, which has used the clinical and qualitative method. The sample was composed of nine patients living with HIV. We used the interview technique with semi-structured questions to collect data. The data were analyzed using the method of content analysis. Our objective was to describe the symbolic representations that emerged during the group activity, assigned to patients with HIV/AIDS. We conclude that the symbolic is very strong and representative in the life of this population. The myth surrounding HIV can be overcome by knowledge acquired during meetings in groups. Alternatives that offer care aimed at populations that tend to social isolation and exclusion should be encouraged by health professionals and their managers.

INTRODUÇÃO: As legislações dos países não aceitam o consumo de álcool em adolescentes, mas se observa seu aumento. OBJETIVO: Identificar o efeito dos fatores pessoais no consumo de álcool em adolescentes que estudam. MÉTODOS: Estudo correlacional em adolescentes que estudam, com amostragem aleatória realizando a seleção de uma n= 894, a aplicação de três instrumentos. RESULTADOS: O consumo de álcool alguma vez na vida foi de 65%. Encontram-se efeitos dos fatores de risco; sexo e idade sobre o consumo de álcool (c2=31.23; p=.001; R2= 27%). CONCLUSÕES: Os fatores de risco aumentam o consumo de álcool em adolescentes.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Las legislaciones de los países no aceptan el consumo de alcohol en adolescentes, pero se observa incremento en ellos. OBJETIVO: Identificar el efecto de los factores personales en el consumo de alcohol en adolescentes que estudian. METODOS: diseño correlacional en adolescentes que estudian, con muestreo aleatorio se selecciona una n= 894, se aplican tres instrumentos. RESULTADOS: El consumo de alcohol alguna vez en la vida fue del 65%. Se encuentran efectos de los factores de riesgo; sexo y edad sobre el consumo de alcohol (c2=31.23; p=.001; R2= 27%). CONCLUSIONES: Los factores de riesgo incrementan el consumo de alcohol en adolescentes.

Feasibility of Using the Omaha System for Community-level Observations.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of using a standardized language, the Omaha System, to capture community-level observations to facilitate population assessment and electronic information exchange. The objectives were: (1) to evaluate the feasibility of using the Omaha System at the community level to reflect community observations and (2) to describe preliminary results of community observations across international settings. DESIGN AND SAMPLE: Descriptive. A dataset of 284 windshield surveys (community observations) completed by nursing students in five countries: Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Turkey, and the United States. MEASURES: The Omaha System Problem Classification Scheme provided standardized terms for assessment of communities in an online checklist of 11 problems and their respective signs/symptoms. RESULTS: Feasibility was demonstrated: students were able to describe community observations using standardized terminology from the Omaha System. Preliminary results describe variations in community signs and symptoms by location. CONCLUSIONS: The Omaha System appears to be a useful tool for community-level observations and a promising strategy for electronic exchange of population health assessments.