Gender roles, physical and sexual violence prevention in primary extend to secondary school in Samutsakorn Province, Thailand.

OBJECTIVE: To enhance positive attitude and life skills on gender roles to prevent physical and sexual violence. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A whole school-based participatory learning program using a quasi-experimental study with pre and post test design was conducted among 2 schools during June-September, 2005. The experimental group, were 134 students in a primary school and 179 students in a secondary school. While the control group, were 122 students in a primary school and 95 students in a secondary school. RESULTS: Means score of attitude toward gender roles before implementation in the experimental group was significantly lower than the control group (p < 0.05). After implementation, the means score in the experimental group was not significantly different from the control group (p > 0.05). Means paired different score (after-before) between the two groups was significantly different (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: A whole school-based program on gender roles and violence prevention is suitable for youths and should be merged as school curricula and expanded as a nationwide program at all level of education. Gender equity should be taught at an early childhood. Parental involvement in school-based activities should be negotiated.

The effectiveness of a program designed to enhance the self-esteem of female adolescents of the Rajavithi Home for Girls, Bangkok, Thailand.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effectiveness of group activities designed to enhance the self-esteem of female adolescents aged 12-18 years old of the Rajvithi Home for Girls, Bangkok, (experimental group) and the Saraburi Home for Girls, Saraburi, (comparison group). MATERIAL AND METHOD: This was quasi-experimental research. Each group was comprised of 36 adolescents. The experimental group participated in numerous activities designed to improve their self-esteem. The activities were conducted over 4 sessions of 2-3 hours duration per session. The self-esteem assessments were conducted before, immediately after the intervention, and 4 weeks henceforth, using the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory School Form (CSEI). RESULTS: Prior to the intervention, neither group showed any difference in its general characteristics including its self- esteem mean scores. Immediately after the intervention and, 4 weeks later, the experimental group had significantly higher self-esteem mean scores than they had prior to intervention (p < 0.001). However the comparison group showed no difference in self-esteem mean scores at both time periods of the post intervention period (p > 0.05). It was also found that the experimental group's self-esteem mean scores were significantly higher than the comparison group's, (p < 0.05) both immediately after the intervention as well as 4 weeks henceforth. The self-esteem mean score at the 4 week post intervention stage remained higher than it was after the intervention, even though there was slight decrease with significant difference (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The research results indicate that the self-esteem level among adolescents could be developed, especially amongst those adolescents in foster homes. Thus related organizations should conduct self-esteem enhancing activities for adolescents in order to strengthen necessary life skills including spiritual health, which are the prerequisites for success in later life.

Quality of life of middle-aged female staff officers in the Royal Thai Navy Base, Bangkok.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the level of quality of life and to determine the factors associated with the quality of life of middle-aged female staff officers. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The population was 309 females aged 40-60 years who were working in the Royal Thai Navy Base in Bangkok, excluding those at the Naval Medical Department. Data collection was by self-administered questionnaires from June to July 2000. The t-test, one way analysis of variance, and Pearson's product moment correlation were used for data analysis. RESULTS: The majority of middle-aged female staff officers (61.8%) had overall scores which indicated that they had a moderate quality of life. The factors which were significantly associated with quality of life were marital status, menopausal symptoms, self esteem, social support, and family income. The factors which were not associated with quality of life were rank, age, educational level, number of living children, chronic diseases, stage of menopause and club membership. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the responsible organizations should improve females' the self esteem of middle-aged female staff officers, establishing social networks and providing health promotion programs to enhance their well being, as well as quality of life.

Quality of life among breast cancer patients undergoing treatment in national cancer centers in Nepal.

PURPOSE: To study the quality of life and to identify associated factors among breast cancer patients undergoing treatment in national cancer centers in Nepal. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred breast cancer patients were selected and interviewed using a structured questionnaire. European Organization of Research and Treatment of Cancer EORTC-QLQ-C30 and EORTC-QLQ-BR23 were used to assess quality of life and modified Medical Outcome Study -Social Support survey(mMOS-SS) was used to assess social support. Only multi-item scales of EORTC C30 and BR23 were analyzed for relationships. Independent sample T-tests and ANOVA were applied to analyze differences in mean scores. RESULTS: The score of global health status/quality of life (GHS/GQoL) was marginally above average (mean=52.8). The worst performed scales in C-30 were emotional and social function while best performed scales were physical and role function. In BR-23, most of the patients fell into the problematic group regarding sexual function and enjoyment. Almost 90% had financial difficulties. Symptom scales did not demonstrate many problems. Older individuals, patients with stage I breast cancer and thosewith good social support were found to have good GHS/GQoL. Of all the influencing factors, social support was established to have strong statistical associations with most of the functional scales: GHS/GQoL (0.003), emotional function (<0.001), cognitive function (0.020), social function (<0.001) and body image function (0.011). Body image was significantly associated with most of the influencing factors: monthly family income (0.003), type of treatment (<0.001), type of surgery (<0.001), stage of cancer (0.017) and social support (0.011). CONCLUSIONS: Strategies to improve social support of the patients undergoing treatment should be given priority and financial difficulties faced by breast cancer patients should be well addressed from a policy making level by initiating health financing system.