Improve Health Awareness Research Articles

Summary of Hui prescriptions for treating cough

In this study, by using the method of literature research, 35 prescriptions related to asthma therapy has been screened out from Hui medicine through collecting the ancient and modern literature. A comparison of fragrant medicine between the name in Arab and Chinese herbal medicine is done. The countif function in Microsoft Excel 2007 is used to get the prescriptions of the drug on the frequency statistics, summarizing the common drugs of Hui medicine for asthma are Pinellia, almond, white sugar, walnut. According to the commonly used drugs, the pathogeny and treatment principle about Hui medicine for asthma is preliminarily inferred combining literature research and the related Hui medical theory. In this study, those prescriptions have been classified into 21 cases which are effective and can be used in medical therapy according to the relevant literatures with the development of the Hui people in their long process of formation of the unique diet culture, 14 useful and convenient Halal diet therapies are made up according to the indications, therapies, party name and composition. Halal diet and "medicine and food" herbs are preliminarily analyzed and summarized, which can be convenient for the people to reduce pains through the diet and improve health awareness.

Got Health?: A Student-Led Inquiry Youth Engagement Project

Background: Schools can serve as a pillar for health promotion for children and youth; youth reporting high levels of school engagement and peer connectedness report improved health and decreased health risk behaviours. Students that have a negative school experience and feel alienated are more likely to engage in health risk behaviours. Thus, developing effective student-led inquiry health initiatives based on empowerment and engagement are important for the health of future generations. We examined a student-led inquiry initiative that was developed and piloted in one school district in British Columbia (BC), Canada called Got Health?. The purpose was to empower students to create change in their schools through developing and leading a school health project guided by the four pillars of the Comprehensive School Health model. Methods: 4 Elementary, 2 Middle, and 2 High Schools in 1 school district were engaged in the 2011-2012 school year. The project received funding from The District Health Promoting Schools and each school was supported by a small grant from the Directorate of Agencies for School Health (DASH) in BC. Each school identified a teacher champion and a team of students to lead the project. Semi-structured focus groups were used to collect qualitative data. A framework analysis approach was used to analyse the data. Results: Mirroring those found in the literature, major outcomes identified by the focus groups include: increased school connectedness, improved health awareness, and facilitation of student engagement. Conclusions: Our results suggest that student-led health promotion projects can make a positive contribution to both student engagement and school connection. Future research should implement more randomized comparison trials that include implementation information and process evaluation to move the field forward.

Knowledge of Prenatal Care Nurses toward Management of Toxoplasmosis in Pregnant Women

Objective: This study aims to assess the level of nurse's knowledge regarding toxoplasmosis managementin pregnant women.Methodology: A descriptive analytic study was carried out from January 2012 to March 2012. A sample of(70)nurses who provide prenatal care to pregnant women at primary health care centers of AL-Adala,ALHindia,AL-Askary,AL-Jamea,AL-Ansarand AL-Salam in AL-Najaf city. The questionnaire was self-completedand included questions on sociodemographic characteristics and toxoplasmosis aspects.Results: The findings of the study indicated that (44.3%) of nurses have moderate level of knowledge.(32.9%) of nurses was with age ranging from 31-36 years. (74.3%) were male. (52.9%) were secondarygraduate,(31.4) were institute graduates, regarding the training sessions the majority of nurses(84.3%)have no training sessions, (34.3%) of nurses who were included in the study have duration ofexperience ranging from 7-13 years. Highly significant relation between nurse‘s level of knowledge andtheir age and years of experience (0.009, 0.024) respectivelyRecommendations: The study recommended that: it is necessary to join all nurses who work in prenatalcare units in workshop training, continuing education sessions regarding toxoplasmosis aspects and othermother –child issues to improve health awareness. Another study should be conducted to investigate theassociation between the prevalence of toxoplasmosis and affectivity of prenatal care in preventingtoxoplasmosis.

System Architecture of HatterHealthConnect: An Integration of Body Sensor Networks and Social Networks to Improve Health Awareness

Over the last decade, the demand for efficient healthcare monitoring has increased and forced the health and wellness industry to embrace modern technological advances. Body Sensor Networks, or BSNs, can remotely collect users data and upload vital statistics to servers over the Internet. Advances in wireless technologies such as cellular devices and Bluetooth increase the mobility users experience while wearing a body sensor network. When connected by the proper framework, BSNs can efficiently monitor and record data while minimizing the energy expenditure of nodes in the BSN. Social networking sites play a large role in the aggregation and sharing of data between many users. Connecting a BSN to a social network creates the unique ability to share health related data with other users through social interaction. In this research, we present an integration of BSNs and social networks to establish a community promoting well being and great social awareness. We present the system architecture; both hardware and software, of a prototype implementation using Zephyr HxM heart monitor, Intel-Shimmer EMG senor and a Samsung Captivate smart phone. We provide implementation details for the design on the base station, the database server and the Facebook application. We illustrate how the Android application was designed with both functionality and user perspective in mind that resulted in an easy to use system. This prototype can be used in multiple health related applications based on the type of sensors used.

Improving health awareness through mobile based health messages in Bangladesh

Improving health awareness through mobile based health messages in Bangladesh

Trends of Breast Cancer and its Management in the Last Twenty Years in Aden and Adjacent Governorates, Yemen

Breast cancer is the most common cancer of women and the principal cause of death in middle aged women. The objective of this study was to describe the trend of breast cancer and its management in Aden and adjacent south-eastern governorates of Yemen during the last 20 years. This is a retrospective analysis of previous studies on patients with breast cancer in Aden and adjacent south-eastern governorates, Yemen (January 1989 through December 2007). The studied variables were: sex, age, time and type of presentation, disease stage, pathological types and the performed surgical treatment. The sources of information were the treatment registry of Aden health office, archives of Al-Gamhouria teaching hospital; major referral and other public and private hospitals in Aden and Aden Cancer Registry. The total number of patients was 476, 99% being females. The age range was 19-88 years. The most affected age was 30-50 years (60.5%), 95% presenting after one month of having breast symptoms. Forty-five percent presented with signs of advanced local disease, while 59.2% had palpable axillary lymph nodes on presentation. Early breast cancer (stages I-II) occurred in 47%, and late breast cancer (stages III-IV) in 51.5%. Invasive ductal carcinoma was the commonest pathology (89.3%). The main surgical treatment was mastectomy (modified radical mastectomy (50%). Breast cancer is predominantly a disease of young with late presentation and advanced disease. Improving health awareness and earlier diagnosis of the disease by health education, encouraging breast self-examination, and providing the mammography equipment and mammary clinics in hospitals are recommended. Establishment of oncology and radiotherapy centers in Aden is a necessity.

Acculturation and Glycemic Control of Asian Indian Adults with Type 2 Diabetes

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is disproportionately high among Asian Indians (AI), one of the fastest growing immigrant groups in the United States (US). Poorly controlled diabetes associated with inadequate self-management increases complications and thus medical costs. Acculturation may be an important determinant of diabetes self-management and hence control. This study examined the association between the degree of acculturation and glycemic control as measured by Hemoglobin A1c in AI adults with type 2 diabetes. A mixed method (quantitative and qualitative) study was conducted among 30 AI adults with type 2 diabetes. Acculturation assessment using the Suinn-Lew Asian Self-identity Instrument was followed by socio-demographic questions, self-reported anthropometric measures, and open ended diabetes self-care questions. A two-step multiple regression analysis and content analysis of verbatim interview transcriptions were conducted. Interactions of acculturation with body mass index (interaction b = 1.11; p = 0.01), annual household income (interaction b = 7.19; p = .01), and diabetes duration (interaction b = .30; p = .02) significantly predicted higher HbA1c levels (R(2) change = .368; F change = 4.21; p = .02). From the qualitative interviews, the following were regarded as US specific facilitators for glycemic control: excellent health care system and facilities, availability of healthy food choices and self-monitoring devices, medical insurance benefits, good quality medications, and improved health awareness. Cultural orientation might be important for patient tailored interventions targeting AI with type 2 diabetes. Therefore, interventions targeted at Asian Indians with diabetes should include culture specific adaptations to nutrition education and support.

A Health Outcome Assessment of the Cardio Metabolic Mission Health Program at Novartis

To assess the impact of the Novartis Cardio Metabolic Program--an education, awareness, and health management initiative--on hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and obesity within the Novartis employee population. A prospective, 6-month pre-/post assessment to determine improvement in blood pressure (BP) control and risk factors after implementation of Novartis Cardio Metabolic. A total of 238 subjects with cardiovascular risk factors participated. In the hypertension cohort, overall BP control improved from 38% at baseline to 79% at follow-up (P < 0.0001). In the hyperlipidemia cohort, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol control improved significantly between baseline and study end (22% to 34%, P = 0.0004). In the diabetes mellitus cohort, the rate of glycosylated hemoglobin control increased from 83.7% to 86.2% (P = 0.69). There was a significant decrease in body mass index at follow-up (P < 0.0001). Novartis Cardio Metabolic educational and health interventions helped to improve health awareness among Novartis employees.

P34 Youth involvement – An optimal technique to eradicate cancer

Background: Evidence that any delay in providing information results in lack of treatment or admission, which might result in death or irreversible harm to an individual, constitutes an emergency. Involving youth in the process could help avoid an unnecessary lack of information, and might contribute to the sustainable legacy of fighting cancer. Youth-development programmes and initiatives associated with awareness, education, and eradication of cancer could decrease unnecessary deaths caused by cancer. Ongoing youth-development projects and partnership campaigns could improve health awareness. Methods: Analysis of 500 young people involved in a Rural Youth Health-Development programme (RYHD) conducted by Umvithi Youth Development and Department of Health in KwaZulu, Natal, showed an improved ability to care, teach, and prevent cancer. Through the RYHD, 2500 community members underwent training and tests to recognise symptoms, and others were diagnosed with cancer and related diseases that they were not aware of. Findings: As a result of the RYHD, many individuals took positive action and full responsibility to decrease cancer risk, such as quitting smoking, eating healthy food, and exercising regularly. Interpretation: Utilising youth for information distribution and involvement in the fight against cancer could propel communities towards sustainable improvement in health, and enhances the ability of individuals to take responsibility for their own health. Young people are founders and initiators of projects, groups, and organisations; they are lobbyists, decision-makers, and are a key element for building a successful and growing community. Funding: UMgungundlovu District Municipality. The author declared no conflicts of interest.

Empowering the people: Development of an HIV peer education model for low literacy rural communities in India

BackgroundDespite ample evidence that HIV has entered the general population, most HIV awareness programs in India continue to neglect rural areas. Low HIV awareness and high stigma, fueled by low literacy, seasonal migration, gender inequity, spatial dispersion, and cultural taboos pose extra challenges to implement much-needed HIV education programs in rural areas. This paper describes a peer education model developed to educate and empower low-literacy communities in the rural district of Perambalur (Tamil Nadu, India).MethodsFrom January to December 2005, six non-governmental organizations (NGO's) with good community rapport collaborated to build and pilot-test an HIV peer education model for rural communities. The program used participatory methods to train 20 NGO field staff (Outreach Workers), 102 women's self-help group (SHG) leaders, and 52 barbers to become peer educators. Cartoon-based educational materials were developed for low-literacy populations to convey simple, comprehensive messages on HIV transmission, prevention, support and care. In addition, street theatre cultural programs highlighted issues related to HIV and stigma in the community.ResultsThe program is estimated to have reached over 30 000 villagers in the district through 2051 interactive HIV awareness programs and one-on-one communication. Outreach workers (OWs) and peer educators distributed approximately 62 000 educational materials and 69 000 condoms, and also referred approximately 2844 people for services including voluntary counselling and testing (VCT), care and support for HIV, and diagnosis and treatment of sexually-transmitted infections (STI). At least 118 individuals were newly diagnosed as persons living with HIV (PLHIV); 129 PLHIV were referred to the Government Hospital for Thoracic Medicine (in Tambaram) for extra medical support. Focus group discussions indicate that the program was well received in the communities, led to improved health awareness, and also provided the peer educators with increased social status.ConclusionUsing established networks (such as community-based organizations already working on empowerment of women) and training women's SHG leaders and barbers as peer educators is an effective and culturally appropriate way to disseminate comprehensive information on HIV/AIDS to low-literacy communities. Similar models for reaching and empowering vulnerable populations should be expanded to other rural areas.

Ageing of the female pelvic floor: towards treatment a la carte of the “geripause”

The study of menopause and female ageing “geripause” is receiving much attention lately from the health care community for three main reasons [1–3]. The first is the global increase in female life expectancy as a result of improved health awareness and services with continuing reduction of adult mortality, progressive transition from high to low fertility, and recent socioeconomic affluence in most countries. This unprecedented demographic change, which started in the developed world in the 19th century and more recently in developing countries, allowed women to experience menopausal manifestations during approximately one third of their lifespan and reach the geripause. Secondly, the process of medicalization within the broader context of the dominance of health as a cultural preoccupation in recent societies and women’s motivation by personal concerns and cultural forces to take more control of the effects of menopause and/or ageing on their bodies has resulted in increasing use of female sex hormones as a replacement therapy. Finally, there is a growing public and medical concern about the serious adverse effects of estrogen/progestin replacement therapy in old postmenopausal “geripausal” women that had been recently reported in the Women’s Health Initiative Trial. This is accompanied by considerable interest in the contemporary biomedical literature, in particular, about the prevalence, detrimental effects, and management of support-related pelvic floor dysfunction (pelvic organ prolapse, urinary incontinence, and fecal incontinence) in the geripausal population. There seems to be no consensus, however, whether the exact underlying mechanism is normative ageing, falling circulating estrogen levels caused by menopausal ovarian failure, or a combination of both factors [3–9]. It is widely believed that estrogen deprivation at the climacteric is primarily responsible for support-related pelvic floor dysfunction in geripausal women. This assumption is based on the detection of estrogen receptors in the components of continence-maintaining and supportive pelvic floor structures in premenopausal women and experimental animals [3–6]. In turn, estrogen replacement had been extensively used to prevent or restore the decline in pelvic floor support and/or deterioration of urinary and fecal control after the menopause but without critical analysis of the long-term cure rates or evidence-based improvement in clinical outcome after treatment in most studies [7]. Paradoxically, a recent meta-analysis and a Int Urogynecol J (2008) 19:455–458 DOI 10.1007/s00192-008-0576-0

Promoting better patient health

A practice in Liverpool has chosen a proactive approach to improving health awareness.

Better Health for Blokes¾A Community-Based Men's Health Program

In recognition of the specific health problems and needs of men, a community-based health program was set up at the Inala Community Health Centre in Brisbane in late 1994. This program aimed to create a supportive environment in which men with long term health problems could improve health awareness, attitudes and skills and their quality of life. The program involves a group of men who meet fortnightly to discuss health topics, assisted by facilitators and invited resource people. The group determines its own topics, activities and rules, and is working towards becoming independent of the facilitators. A qualitative evaluation of the group after seven months, confirmed that it has provided a supportive environment in which health concerns can be discussed and health knowledge can be improved. During this period a number of the men reported a reduction or cessation of smoking, improvement in dietary habits and an improved ability to relax and to communicate with people. The group has moved consistently towards independence, aided by reflection on group processes. Quantitatively, the group has shown a significant improvement in a quality of life index, from 4.95 +/- 0.79 at the start of the program to 5.68 +/- 0.74 after three months. This was maintained at 5.65 +/- 0.39 after seven months.

FREQUENCY OF HELLP SYNDROME IN PRE- ECLAMPSIA AND ECLAMPSIA PATIENTS OF THE CATCHMENT AREA OF SAIDU TEACHING HOSPITAL SWAT

Objectives: The objective of the study was to determine the frequency of HELLPsyndrome in preeclampsiaand eclampsia patients presented to saidu teaching hospital Swat.&#x0D; Methodology: This was a descriptive, cross sectional study. It was conducted in the department ofgynaecology and obstetrics of Saidu Teaching Hospital Swat. All pregnant women attending antenatal clinicduring T1 Jan 2007 to 31s' Dec 2009 were included in the study. Women after 20 weeks of gestation withpreeclampsia requiring admission in obstetric ward for monitoring and controlling blood pressure and allwho were admitted in labour room with severe preeclampsia and eclampsia were included while womenwith gestational hypertension but no proteinurea were excluded. Non probability purposive samplingtechnique was used in the study.&#x0D; Result: During three years time period, 16722 pregnant women were registered, out of which 537 werediagnosed having preeclampsia, 3.21% (n = 16722) . While 39 patients among 537, were diagnosed withHELLPsyndrome, 7.26% (n = 537) in limited and 0.227% (n = 16722) in the overall sample population. Outof total 39 patients 38 were antenatal 1 was post-natal. About 69.25% women were between 30 to 40 weeksof gestation and 30.7% were less than 30 weeks of gestation. In our study the frequency of HELLPsyndromewas high between 26-30 years (38.46%) and in multigravidas (46.15%).&#x0D; Conclusion: The study revealed that although in spite of backward area, lack of education and health careawareness with special reference to mother and child health the incidence of HELLP syndrome is less thanthe internationally reported data, but this may be due the fact that all patients with eclampsia and preeclampsia do not reached hospital and treated at home due to superstitious believes. A community basedintervention is needed to improve health awareness and education. All patients with preeclampsia andeclampsia needs to be investigated for HELLP syndrome and those with HELLP syndrome should beprovide the best possible care at the appropriate time.&#x0D; Key words: Pre-Eclampsia, Eclampsia, HELLPsyndrome