Subject(s)
Literature, Modern , Magic , Medicine in Literature , Medicine, Traditional , Black People , Humans , West IndiesABSTRACT
The gradual closure of the Panamanian seaway and the resulting environmental change stimulated an increase in Caribbean molluscan diversity rather than the mass extinction hypothesized previously on the basis of inadequate data. Upheaval of molluscan faunas did occur suddenly throughout tropical America at the end of the Pliocene as a result of more subtle, unknown causes. There is no necessary correlation between the magnitude of regional shifts in abiotic conditions and the subsequent biological response.
ABSTRACT
A study was carried out in St. Elizabeth during the period July to December 1991 to evaluate the effectiveness of two communication channels on mothers' knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding food and nutrition. Five communities with high levels of malnutrition and similar socioeconomic and geographical characteristics were selected for the study and assigned to three experimental conditions: a group that was not exposed to any communication channel (group 1); another group that was exposed to group discussion and facilitator (group 2); and a third group that was exposed to facilitator only (group 3). In all, fifteen mothers were assigned to group 1, another fifteen to group 2, and nineteen to group 3. The results showed that positive changes in mothers' knowledge, attitudes and practices occurred in all three groups during the period between the baseline and the end of survey evaluation. However, these changes were more substantial in groups 2 and 3, particularly group 2. Although all groups showed improvement in nutritional status the facilitator-only group made the most improvement. Consideration should therefore be given to both communication channels when planning nutrition education programs, especially for underweight children. The type of facilitator may be critical in terms of outcome (nutritional status).
ABSTRACT
The role of cultural assimilation in Hispanic health behavior has received little empirical examination. Prior studies have operationalized assimilation primarily in terms of language preference and have obtained weak or no effects. We interviewed 603 elderly Hispanic women residing in Los Angeles to evaluate the usefulness of cultural factors as predictors of preventive health behavior (e.g., physical examination, screening for breast cancer) more rigorously. Factor analysis of responses yielded four dimensions of cultural assimilation: "language preference", "country of birth", "contact with homeland", and "attitudes about children's friends." After controlling for education and age, no dimension of assimilation associated strongly or consistently with health behavior. Of the four dimensions, use of English language associated most closely with increased screening, although most of the effects for language were small in magnitude. These findings, coupled with those of other studies, strongly suggest that cultural factors may have little impact on the health behavior of Hispanics. Access to and availability of services, affective reactions toward screening, and sociodemographic factors are stronger determinants of Hispanic health practices.
Subject(s)
Culture , Hispanic or Latino , Personal Health Services/statistics & numerical data , Aged , California , Communication Barriers , Educational Status , Female , Humans , Mexico/ethnology , Middle Aged , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
PIP: An infant feeding survey was carried out in 3 parishes in Cornwall county, Jamaica, from March to August, 1984, in an attempt to determine the feeding patterns of infants and beliefs of mothers in Western Jamaica. 41 Enumeration districts (EDs), were randomly selected from 2 strata, urban and rural, in proportion to the population distribution. 614 households with children under 36 months of age were selected from 41 EDs. The results showed that the presence of breastfeeding was 98%. Despite the high frequency of breastfeeding, infant formula was introduced very early, and only about 1/2 of the mothers introduced semi-solids and solids within a month of the recommended time. The most popular foods, identified as good foods, were also popular weaning foods. There is need for adequate training of both primary and 2ndary health-care staff, and reinforcement of nutrition messages by frontline health workers. The collection of adequate baseline data in evaluating the effectiveness of nutrition education programs is also important.^ieng
Subject(s)
Breast Feeding , Infant Care , Infant Food , Mothers/psychology , Adult , Female , Humans , Infant , Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena , Infant, Newborn , Jamaica , Nutritional Sciences/educationABSTRACT
An infant feeding survey was carried out in three parishes in Cornwall County, Jamaica, from March to August, 1984, in an attempt to determine the feeding practices of infants and beliefs of mothers in Western Jamica Forty-one Enumeration Districts (EDs were randomly selected from two strata. urban and rural, in proportion to the population distribution. Six hundred and fourteen households with children under 36 months of age were selected from 41 EDs. The results showed that prevalence of breastfeeding was 98.0%. Despite the high frequency of breastfeeding, infant formula was introduced very early, and only about half of the mothers introduced semi-solids and solids within one month of the recommended time. The most popular foods, identified as good foods, were also popular weaning foods. It is concluded that there is need for adequate rraining of both primary and secondary health-care staff, and reinforcemen of nutrition messages by frontline health workers. The collection of adequate baseline data in evaluating the effectiveness of nutrition education programmes is also important