Attitude Of Health Personnel Research Articles

Selected Bibliography of Health-Related Mistrust among Minority Populations

The following bibliography was compiled from searches of AIDSline, BioethicsLine, Medline, PsycLfT, and Sociofile databases. It is not exhaustive of every reference of mistrust in the health sciences literature, but remains fairly comprehensive in its scope. References were compiled by searching for: (1) articles that mentioned “distrust or mistrust,” (2) articles on “physician-patient relations” and “attitude of health personnel,” and (3) cross referencing material from the first two searches with each minority category. The term “minority” in the bibliography is used broadly to encompass ethnicity, race, sex, and sexual orientation. Each ethnic, racial, sex, or sexual orientation category is further broken down into sub-categories of related topics. For instance, a subcategory of “provider attitudes” toward specific groups is included throughout the bibliography because attitudes and actions of health care providers can help shape and fuel community mistrust. The authors recognize that the chosen minority categories do not aptly reflect the rich diversity of persons that reside in each community, and that issues of mistrust may differ depending upon culture, economic status, and ethnicity within as well as across racial, ethnic, sex, and sexual categories.

Postpartum contraception: The lactational amenorrhea method

Breastfeeding still accounts for a significant proportion of all fertility reduction, the average birth interval being longer among populations that breastfeed. However, per se it is not reliable for individual fertility suppression. The lactational amenorrhea method (LAM) is a highly efficient tool for the individual woman to utilize physiology to space births. Suckling induces a reduction in gonadotropin releasing hormone, luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone release, resulting in amenorrhea, through an intracerebral opioid pathway: β-endorphins inhibit gonadotropin releasing hormone and dopamine secretions, which, in turn stimulates prolactin secretion and milk production. Reduced suckling precipitates the return of ovulation. During lactation, menses before 6 months are mostly anovulatory, and fertility remains low. The lactational amenorrhea method is based on three simultaneous conditions: (1) the baby is under 6 months; (2) the mother is still amenorrheic; and (3) she practises exclusive or quasi-exclusive breastfeeding on demand, day and night. Experiments with LAM extended to 9-12 months are ongoing. We use a standardized algorithm to present LAM. The lactational amenorrhea method is a way both to space births and to support breastfeeding, which should be replaced by a contraceptive method in due course. A 'Breastfeeding-LAM-Family Planning' team is very helpful in maternity wards for promoting modern breastfeeding, LAM, and contraception, and for alleviating barriers and misconceptions. The lactational amenorrhea method is at least 98% effective, comparing favorably with other contraceptive methods. Acceptability and continuity are not very well known; as with other 'natural' methods the figures are probably low in a general population but high for motivated couples. The lactational amenorrhea method avoids double protection, and thus saves resources, is especially (but not exclusively) suitable for couples interested in natural family planning and is accepted by religious authorities. The lactational amenorrhea method gives time to decide upon a long-term method of contraception. Unwanted pregnancies, although infrequent, conceived while using LAM result in very short, high-risk birth intervals. Introduction of LAM in family planning programs demands training, attention to be given to working mothers, positive attitudes of health personnel, close links between postpartum and family planning teams, situation analysis, budgets, evaluations, follow-up activities, modifications of record keeping systems and computing programs, and of national family planning guidelines. In conclusion, LAM is an efficient family planning method which should be promoted. The lactational amenorrhea method should always include the shift to another method when its criteria are no longer implemented.

Immunization Services for Preschoolers: Determinants of Utilization among Low Income Mothers in New York City

Abstract The relation among mothers' personal beliefs and their perceived access to utilization of immunization services for their preschool children was examined using two New York City health clinics. The relation among personal beliefs (perceived vulnerability, perceived benefits, parental health locus of control) and perceived access (perceived access to health care, perception of health personnel's attitude, attitude of the community toward the clinic) were defined in terms of the likelihood of mothers to seek immunizations for their preschoolers. Correlation coefficients and multiple regression were used to determine the significance of mothers' personal beliefs and perceived access to preventive health services for their children. Results suggest that mothers' perceived vulnerability and perceptions of the health personnel's attitudes were significant in predicting immunization status of preschool children.

How effective is antenatal care to promote maternal and neonatal health?

Antenatal care is effective, but relies heavily on the sympathetic attitude of health personnel. Essential to its promotion is community participation and involvement of family members. Transportation to a well-equipped facility for emergency obstetric care is a critical element. The effectiveness of antenatal care to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality from certain major causes is reviewed.

Priorities for nutrition content within a medical school curriculum

Priorities for nutrition content within a medical school curriculum

Health workers and the human immunodeficiency virus: Knowledge, ignorance and behaviour

The attitude of health personnel towards the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has a great influence on public opinion. Thus appropriate knowledge about HIV and its routes of transmission, plus safe and professional behaviour are crucial. A survey of 359 Norwegian health workers (75% response) revealed that factual knowledge was good. Fear of occupational transmission was substantial, but was not reflected in behaviour: 25-50% of the personnel reported not using gloves when exposed to blood. No relationship was found between knowledge and behaviour. A majority (79%) of the sample held the view that every hospital patient should be routinely tested on admission. Seventy-four per cent advocated preoperative screening, with special precautions if the results are positive. Knowledge did not seem to influence these attitudes. It is concluded that the behaviour of health personnel in relation to occupational risks is unrelated to factual knowledge, and further studies are needed to uncover behavioral determinants.