Perceived Health Benefits Research Articles

KNOWLEDGE AND BEHAVIORS SURROUNDING A GLUTEN‐FREE DIET BETWEEN MEDICALLY AND SELF‐DIAGNOSED INDIVIDUALS

KNOWLEDGE AND BEHAVIORS SURROUNDING A GLUTEN‐FREE DIET BETWEEN MEDICALLY AND SELF‐DIAGNOSED INDIVIDUALS

Factors influencing women's preference for health facility deliveries in Jharkhand state, India: a cross sectional analysis.

BackgroundExpanding institutional deliveries is a policy priority to achieve MDG5. India adopted a policy to encourage facility births through a conditional cash incentive scheme, yet 28 % of deliveries still occur at home. In this context, it is important to understand the care experience of women who have delivered at home, and also at health facilities, analyzing any differences, so that services can be improved to promote facility births. This study aims to understand women’s experience of delivery care during home and facility births, and the factors that influence women’s decisions regarding their next place of delivery.MethodA community-based cross-sectional survey was undertaken in a district of Jharkhand state in India. Interviews with 500 recently delivered women (210 delivered at facility and 290 delivered at home) included socio-demographic characteristics, experience of their recent delivery, and preference of future delivery site. Data analysis included frequencies, binary and multiple logistic regressions.ResultsThere is no major difference in the experience of care between home and facility births, the only difference in care being with regard to pain relief through massage, injection and low cost of delivery for those having home births. 75 % women wanted to deliver their next child at a facility, main reasons being availability of medicine (29.4 %) and perceived health benefits for mother and baby (15 %). Women with higher education (AOR = 1.67, 95 % CI = 1.04–3.07), women who were above 25 years (AOR = 2.14, 95 % CI = 1.26–3.64), who currently delivered at facility (AOR = 5.19, 95 % CI = 2.97–9.08) and had health problem post-delivery (AOR = 1.85, 95 % CI = 1.08–3.19) were significant predictors of future facility-based delivery.ConclusionThe predictors for facility deliveries include, availability of medicines and supplies, potential health benefits for the mother and newborn and the perception of good care from the providers. There is a growing preference for facility delivery particularly among women with higher age group, education, income and those who had antennal checkup. In order to uptake facility births, the quality improvement initiatives should regularly assess and address women’s experiences of care.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12884-016-0839-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Reasons for electronic cigarette use beyond cigarette smoking cessation: A concept mapping approach

IntroductionElectronic cigarettes (ECIGs) continue to grow in popularity, however, limited research has examined reasons for ECIG use. MethodsThis study used an integrated, mixed-method participatory research approach called concept mapping (CM) to characterize and describe adults' reasons for using ECIGs. A total of 108 adults completed a multi-module online CM study that consisted of brainstorming statements about their reasons for ECIG use, sorting each statement into conceptually similar categories, and then rating each statement based on whether it represented a reason why they have used an ECIG in the past month. ResultsParticipants brainstormed a total of 125 unique statements related to their reasons for ECIG use. Multivariate analyses generated a map revealing 11, interrelated components or domains that characterized their reasons for use. Importantly, reasons related to Cessation Methods, Perceived Health Benefits, Private Regard, Convenience and Conscientiousness were rated significantly higher than other categories/types of reasons related to ECIG use (p<.05). There also were significant model differences in participants' endorsement of reasons based on their demography and ECIG behaviors. ConclusionsThis study shows that ECIG users are motivated to use ECIGs for many reasons. ECIG regulations should address these reasons for ECIG use in addition to smoking cessation.

Histological and Biochemical Studies of the Actions of a Multi-herbal Tea on the Testis in Wistar Rats

Tea is consumed almost worldwide as a beverage and for its perceived health benefits. Tea has been used in folk medicine to treat a wide range of disorders. Tea is believed to be safe but recent studies suggest that under certain conditions, components of tea may be toxic to the liver and testis in rats. This study examined the effects of a multi-herbal tea on sperm parameters, markers of oxidative stress and histology in the testes of Wistar rats. We analysed histology of testis, and estimated sperm parameters and markers of oxidative stress such as catalase and reduced glutathione in 3 groups of rats that had been treated with 150 mg/kg of a tea extract for 4 and 8 week durations. One of the treated groups received ascorbic acid along with the extract. Our results show that the extract caused a significant reduction in all sperm parameters, with a 25% Original Research Article Akaahan et al.; JAMPS, 8(1): 1-9, 2016; Article no.JAMPS.25296 2 and 50% reduction in sperm count and motility respectively. Tea also caused oxidative stress with raised levels of malondialdehyde and reduced levels of catalase and glutathione. The extract also induced considerable degenerative changes in histology of the testes. Co-administration of ascorbic acid resulted in significant improvement in all sperm parameters and protection of testes from histological damage. We conclude that tea may be generally safe to take but at certain dosage and length of use, multi-herbal teas can impair spermatogenesis and damage the histology of testicular tissue, at least in rats.

Culture, health, gender and coffee drinking: a Costa Rican perspective

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify the effect of culture, gender and perceived health benefits on coffee drinking in Costa Rica. Design/methodology/approach – A telephone survey (n=1,328) was conducted in the province of San Jose, where the capital city is located. This location has a population of 845,000, with a 99 per cent, confidence, 1 per cent error and 50 per cent response distribution, the total usable surveys were 1,199. The analytical procedure, consisted of three steps; instrument validation, consumer profile development and developing ordinal logistic modelling. Findings – The total α was estimated at 0.71. The coffee consumer profile is described but consisted of 52 per cent female and 48 per cent male with 77 per cent receiving a secondary education. The factors influencing coffee drinking by Costa Ricans, are in order of importance: first gender followed by family as a source of information, health, amount spent, aroma, anti-migraine effect, family tradition, flavour and energizing effect. H1 – health, culture and gender influence the frequency of coffee consumption in Costa Rica is accepted; H2 – the importance of the health factor varies with gender is accepted and H3 – culture is an important factor in determining coffee consumption is also accepted. Research limitations/implications – The study was only conducted in the province of San Jose. This is considered the urban heart of the country urban but its finding should not be extrapolated to the entire country. A rural/urban comparison may be needed. Practical implications – The results suggest that a country wide survey may be useful in providing information for differential coffee marketing strategies. Originality/value – The material is the first of its kind in the Central American region and may help orient other countries of the area.

English

Executive Summary: Former Secretary of the Interior, Dirk Kempthorne (2007), acknowledged the role National Parks should play in health and fitness: “National parks will be part of the solution to reduce obesity, chronic illness, and adult-onset diabetes” (p. 12). However, given the increase in urbanization and population diversity, we have turned our focus to an urban-proximate state park. First Landing State Park (FLSP) in Virginia Beach includes 2,888 acres of land, 20 miles of trails, and is situated in the most populated city in Virginia. Little research exists on the perceived health benefits of urban park trail users.The purpose of this study was to explore demographic variables and perceived health benefits of urban park trail users by using the Perceived Health Outcomes of Recreation Scale (PHORS) at FLSP. Similar to Tinsley and Croskey’s (2002) investigation, rather than focus on the activities and activity preferences, we looked at perceived psychosocial benefits derived from the activities.This research study considered (a) gender differences, (b) racial group differences, (c) age difference, (d) residential differences, and (e) trail user types as they related to perceived health benefits and park use. A total of 307 questionnaires were completed, with a response rate of 66.3%. However, because the focus of this study is on urban recreation, visitors from outside of Hampton Roads were removed, leaving 84% of responses ( n =258) for the purposes of this study. Analyses included t -tests, ANOVAs and regression. This study reveals the critical role of urban-proximate parks in providing opportunities for wellness, access to nature, social justice, and improved quality of life. It also provided multiple key insights into the demographics and perceived health benefits of urban visitors to the most visited state park in Virginia. Gomez and Malega (2007) had called for more studies to explore the relationship between perceived benefits of recreation and park use. This study answered that call and found, of the three perceived benefits captured by the PHORS (psychological benefits, improvement benefits, prevention benefits), perceived realization of a psychological outcome was the only significant predictor of park use. According to Kil and colleagues, “little knowledge exists on wildland urban interface user groups’ perceived benefits” (p. 377). It is our hope that we have begun to address this gap in the literature, calling for more studies of this nature.

Barriers, Motivations, and Preferences for Physical Activity Among Female African American Older Adults.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, less than 11% of adults more than the age of 65 meet the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Among minority populations, only 5% of non-Hispanic Black older adults met the guidelines. Given our limited understanding of psychosocial and environmental factors that affect physical activity participation in these groups, the purpose of our focus groups was to investigate barriers, motivators, and preferences of physical activity for community-dwelling African American older adults. Three focus groups were conducted with female African American older adults (N = 20). Questions posed to each focus group targeted motivations and barriers toward physical activity as well as their preferences for physical activity. The motivations included perceived health benefits of physical activity, social support, and enjoyment associated with engagement in physical activity. Prominent barriers included time and physical limitations, peer pressure and family responsibilities, and weather and poor neighborhood conditions. Group activities involving a dance component and novel exercises such as tai-chi or yoga were preferred choices. These findings should be taken into consideration when designing and implementing research or community physical activity programs for female African American older adults.

Social ranking effects on tooth-brushing behaviour.

A tooth-brushing social rank hypothesis is tested suggesting tooth-brushing duration is influenced when individuals position their behaviour in a rank when comparing their behaviour with other individuals. Study 1 used a correlation design, Study 2 used a semi-experimental design, and Study 3 used a randomized intervention design to examine the tooth-brushing social rank hypothesis in terms of self-reported attitudes, cognitions, and behaviour towards tooth-brushing duration. Study 1 surveyed participants to examine whether the perceived health benefits of tooth-brushing duration could be predicted from the ranking of each person's tooth-brushing duration. Study 2 tested whether manipulating the rank position of the tooth-brushing duration influenced participant-perceived health benefits of tooth-brushing duration. Study 3 used a longitudinal intervention method to examine whether messages relating to the rank positions of tooth-brushing durations causally influenced the self-report tooth-brushing duration. Study 1 demonstrates that perceptions of the health benefits from tooth-brushing duration are predicted by the perceptions of how that behaviour ranks in comparison to other people's behaviour. Study 2 demonstrates that the perceptions of the health benefits of tooth-brushing duration can be manipulated experimentally by changing the ranked position of a person's tooth-brushing duration. Study 3 experimentally demonstrates the possibility of increasing the length of time for which individuals clean their teeth by focusing on how they rank among their peers in terms of tooth-brushing duration. The effectiveness of interventions using social-ranking methods relative to those that emphasize comparisons made against group averages or normative guidelines are discussed. What is already known on this subject? Individual make judgements based on social rank information. Social rank information has been shown to influence positive health behaviours such as exercise. What does this study add? The health benefits of tooth-brushing are predicted by how tooth-brushing duration ranks within a distribution. Focussing on how teeth-cleaning duration ranks among others produces longer teeth-cleaning durations.

Infant massage: The practice and evidence-base to support it

Parents across the globe have been massaging their babies for centuries. The popularity of infant massage in Western countries is a relatively recent phenomenon; the trend has probably developed due to the perceived health benefits. In some Eastern cultures, the practice of infant massage is passed on from one generation to the next. In Western cultures, it is more likely that new parents will attend a local baby massage class with an instructor. Whichever form the practice takes, it is important to know that there is no potential for harm to the baby. This article will consider the perceived benefits of infant massage, how to massage, the role of the health professional and whether we should be concerned about what products, if any, should be used for infant massage.

Determination of amino acids and protein content in fresh and commercial royal jelly from Bulgaria

Royal jelly (RJ) is popular among consumers around the world due to its perceived health benefits. The purpose of this study was to assess the levels of free and total amino acid profile as well as protein content in order to characterize Bulgarian RJ samples. A total of 17 fresh and commercial RJ samples from different regions of Bulgaria were analyzed. The results obtained show that proline (Pro), lysine (Lys), methionine (Met), aspartic acid (Asp), cysteine (Cys), histidine (His) were major free amino acids (FAAs) in RJ. The average content of Pro was 2.3 mg/g. The FAA content ranged from 5.5 to 6.2 mg/g of RJ. The most abundant total amino acids (TAAs) were aspartic acid (Asp), glutamic acid (Glu), lysine (Lys), leucine (Leu), serine (Ser) and proline (Pro). The average TAA content in fresh and commercial RJ were 129±10 and 114±8 mg/g, respectively. The results obtained for TAA content were used to establish a range for amino acid composition of Bulgarian RJ. The content of proteins was higher in fresh RJ than in commercial samples and this difference was significant (p&lt;0.05). The following ranges were observed for fresh and commercial samples 14.7–17.3 and 12.5–14.9 mg/g, respectively. KEY WORDS: Royal jelly (RJ), Free amino acids (FAAs), Total amino acids (TAAs), Protein content, Bulgaria Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2015, 29(3), 485-490.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v29i3.16

Rapid Estimation of Phenolic Content in Colored Maize by Near‐Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy and Its Use in Breeding

ABSTRACTColored maize (Zea mays L.; blue, red, purple‐morado) is of interest for perceived health benefits of anthocyanins and other antioxidant polyphenols as well as aesthetics but suffers from low yield with few available hybrids. Grain color in maize is simply inherited, but the range of phenolic antioxidants within color classes can be large. Phenolic antioxidants can be estimated using extractable phenol content (EPC) analysis, and high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) can identify individual compounds. However, both methods are expensive and slow and require destruction of the sample through grinding, which hinders screening in a breeding program. Fourier‐transformed near‐infrared reflectance spectroscopy (FT‐NIRS) is an inexpensive, rapid, and nondestructive technique useful for quantifying various compounds in grain but has not been used for selecting improved EPC profiles in maize breeding. Using two different sample sets we found that whole kernel (performance index [PI] = 83.8) samples were nearly as predictive as ground kernel samples (PI = 85.7) for EPC. Importantly, FT‐NIRS predicted two related breeding lines with 1.4‐ to 1.7‐fold greater EPC than the next highest sample (all morado), which were confirmed by EPC and HPLC. This study demonstrated that FT‐NIRS can be easily integrated into a breeding program to select improved EPC profiles beyond visual color selection. This will allow the breeding of a core improved set of lines and hybrids to be validated in food processing and feeding trials.

Physiological Effects Associated with Quinoa Consumption and Implications for Research Involving Humans: a Review.

Quinoa is a pseudo-grain consumed as a dietary staple in South America. In recent years, consumer demand for quinoa in the developed world has grown steadily. Its perceived health benefits have been cited as a driving force behind this trend, but there are very few human studies investigating the impact of quinoa consumption. The aim of this review was to identify physiological effects of quinoa consumption with potential for human health. A critical evaluation of animal model studies was conducted. The quality of identified studies was assessed using a methodological quality assessment tool and summative conclusions were drawn to guide the direction of future human research. The majority of studies were of fair quality. Purported physiological effects of quinoa consumption included decreased weight gain, improved lipid profile and improved capacity to respond to oxidative stress. These physiological effects were attributed to the presence of saponins, protein and 20-hydroxyecdysone in the quinoa seed. The implications of these findings are that human studies should investigate the impact of quinoa consumption on weight gain and lipid levels. The role of quinoa as an antioxidant is still unclear and requires further elucidation in animal models.

Inhibition of CYP3A4 and CYP1A2 by Aegle marmelos and its constituents

1. Aegle marmelos (bael) is a popular tree in India and other Southeast Asian countries. The fruit is usually consumed as dried, fresh or juice, and is reported to have a high nutritional value and many perceived health benefits. Despite its edible nature and therapeutic properties, no studies are reported regarding its effects on major drug metabolizing enzymes.2. This study was aimed to evaluate the inhibitory potential of methanolic extract of A. marmelos fruit and its constituents (three furanocoumarins, namely marmelosin, marmesinin and 8-hydroxypsoralen, and 1 alkaloid, aegeline) towards major Cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP3A4, 2D6, 1A2, 2C9 and 2C19) using human liver microsomes and recombinant CYPs.3. The methanolic extract and marmelosin was found to be competitive and time-dependant inhibitor of CYP3A4. While reversible and non-competitive inhibition was observed for CYP1A2. Time-dependent inhibition of CYP3A4 was not affected by the addition of reduced glutathione. Marmesinin showed moderate inhibition of CYP3A4 and 1A2, while aegeline was a very weak inhibitor of CYP3A4 and showed no inhibition for CYP1A2 isoform. No significant inhibition of recombinant CYP2D6, 2C9, and 2C19 was seen with the extract or its constituents.4. This is the first report of CYP3A4 and CYP1A2 inhibition by A. marmelos extract and one of its furanocoumarins, marmelosin. Further studies are warranted to determine if acute or prolonged use of bael fruit could affect the pharmacokinetics of drugs that are substrates of CYP3A4 or CYP1A2.

Bicycling campaigns promoting health versus campaigns promoting safety: A randomized controlled online study of ‘dangerization’

Abstract This study tested the idea that promoting bicycle safety might inadvertently discourage bicycling by having negative effects on how the activity is perceived. It also tested the idea that stressing the health benefits of bicycling would have a positive effect on perceptions and intentions to cycle. Two-hundred and twenty-eight adults were randomly allocated to read safety-focused, health-focused, or control publicity materials and their immediate influences on bicycling perceptions were measured. Health-focused materials significantly increased bicycling׳s perceived health benefits amongst non-bicyclists and had no influence on perceived risk; the safety-focused campaign had no effect on either perceived risks or health benefits for either group. Neither campaign measurably changed intentions to bicycle nor the perceived enjoyment of bicycling, both of which were clearly higher amongst bicyclists than non-bicyclists. The study suggests that safety-focused campaigns are unlikely to have any immediate effect on people׳s perceptions and intentions to cycle, whether positive or negative; health-focused campaigns, on the other hand, make bicycling appear more beneficial to those who do not currently do it. In addition, although the possibility exists that current bicyclists are a qualitatively different sub-population, able to enjoy bicycling in non-conducive environments, their rating bicycling as more enjoyable than non-bicyclists hints that new campaigns might usefully emphasise the enjoyment of bicycling to encourage its uptake.

Awareness and preference for functional foods: the perspective of older Italian consumers

AbstractThe literature has identified several factors that specifically influence how older consumers view and consume functional foods (FFs), including the perceived need for the product and perceived health benefit. Health claims (HCs), symbols and logos on FF labels can thus play a central role in enhancing product attractiveness and perception of health benefits. Nevertheless, few studies have examined how elderly consumers perceive non‐verbal communication (such as symbols) associated with health‐related information on FFs. Research undertaken on 400 Italian consumers aged over 60 revealed that HCs on FF influence older consumers' perceptions of the healthiness of products. However, respondents also stated that they had difficulties reading and interpreting HCs and nutritional information on food labels. The findings highlight the existence of significant barriers to FF acceptance and use by older consumers, namely price sensitivity, availability and general scepticism on the reliability of the information provided by food manufacturers.

Plant genusElaeagnus: underutilized lycopene and linoleic acid reserve with permaculture potential

Introduction. Elaeagnus is a genus in family Elaeagnaceae found wild or grown as ornamental plants for its dense shrub-like structure, fragrant blossoms and silvery foliage. However, in recent times a convincing number of findings supporting the nutritional potential of its fruit has been published. Materials and methods. A literature search was conducted using the keywords ‘elaeagnus ’ ‘silverberry’, ‘oleaster’, ‘antioxidant’ and ‘permaculture’ to compile a meaningful review for fueling research interest on this genus. The nutritional and pharmacological relevance of genus Elaeagnus was explored and human health-related nutrients identified. Results and discussion . The tiny oblong fruit of genus Elaeagnus with red flesh and pericarp speckled with gold and silvery spots have been found to be edible. In fact, it has shown promise to be developed as a functional food owing to its richness in antioxidants phenolics acids (benzoic acid, cinnamic acid) and flavonoids (myricetin, epigallocatechin gallate). An abundance of antoxidant lycopene in its fruit has been revealed. The perceived health benefits of the fruit are blood alcohol removal, pain alleviation, wound healing, cancer prevention, antimicrobial and expectorant etc. Conclusion. Despite immense food and medicinal potential, the fruit of this genus are languishing in obscurity, and yet to reach mainstream market.

An investigation into the consumption patterns, attitude, and perception of Mauritians towards common medicinal food plants

The use of medicinal food plants (MFP) as herbal remedies is currently undergoing a renewed interest, with increased sales, consumer preference and regulatory interest. Mauritius is a multi-cultural island with a long-standing tradition in the use of herbal remedies. This study has endeavoured to evaluate the consumption pattern, culinary and medicinal uses, attitude and perceptions of Mauritians towards seven common MFP (Amaranthus hybridus (amaranth), Aloe vera (aloe), Momordica charantia (bitter-melon), Lagenaria siceraria (bottle-gourd), Moringa oleifera (drumstick/leaves), Artocarpus altilis (breadfruit) and Artocarpus heterophyllus (jackfruit)) with the aim of identifying significant influential factors (if any) which shape attitudes of Mauritians. Questionnaire-guided face to face interviews were performed (n=384; age≥30 years). Preliminary analyses, descriptive statistics and inferential tests (ANOVA, t-tests and χ2 test) were applied. Quantitative ethnobotanical indices (use value (UV), fidelity level (FL) and informant consensus factor (ICF)) were used to assess the medicinal importance of the MFP. There was a general consensus that MFP were known for their medicinal role. Taste was a significant (p<0.05) factor influencing consumption among different age groups. Older participants (≥60 years) showed significantly (p<0.05) lower perceived healthiness towards amaranth, bottle-gourd and drumstick leaves. Significant association (p<0.05) between demographic characteristics (gender, ethnicity, region of residence) and preferred mode of treatment was recorded. The perceived health benefits and risks of the MFP was observed to significantly (p<0.01) influence the preference category and some misconceptions on the therapeutic values of the MFP were also noted. The FL value (65%) indicated that bitter melon was the most accepted herbal remedy to manage diabetes (ICF=0.99). As a first attempt in Mauritius, this study has provided baseline data for future studies geared towards the therapeutic benefits of common MFP. This study has also contributed towards understanding the consumption pattern of local MFP which could offer great potential in improving the implementation of public-health programmes aimed at managing diseases.

Parents' Health Beliefs Influence Breastfeeding Patterns among Iranian Women.

To determine factors related to breastfeeding and its perceived health benefits among Iranian mothers. A cross-sectional study was performed using 240 postpartum women who were selected randomly from eight public health care centers in Hamadan, Iran, in 2012. Mothers who breastfed (BF) and mothers who never breastfed (NBF) were given a structured questionnaire to collect their demographic data and information regarding their health beliefs and attitude towards child-rearing. Descriptive and logistic regression were used for data analysis. The mean length of breastfeeding was 11.6 (standard deviation=12.5) weeks. There was no difference in demographic variables, such as age, type of medical insurance, number of living children, employment, education, and household income (p>0.050), between mothers that breastfed and those that did not. Mothers' perception of the severity of child illness was higher in those who breastfed than those who never breastfed (p=0.050). In contrast, BF mothers had higher perceived confidence of medical care to prevent diseases (p<0.050) and a higher perception of reverse parent-child roles than NBF mothers (p<0.050). Mothers' health beliefs and attitude to parenting has a significant role in choosing to breastfeed. Physicians and healthcare providers may provide supportive information that influence a mother's breastfeeding behavior.

Infant massage: The practice and evidence-base to support it

Parents across the globe have been massaging their babies for centuries. The popularity of infant massage in Western countries is a relatively recent phenomenon; the trend has probably developed due to the perceived health benefits. In some Eastern cultures, the practice of infant massage is passed on from one generation to the next. In Western cultures, it is more likely that new parents will attend a local baby massage class with an instructor. Whichever form the practice takes, it is important to know that there is no potential for harm to the baby. This article will consider the perceived benefits of infant massage, how to massage, the role of the health professional and whether we should be concerned about what products, if any, should be used for infant massage.

Circumcision: Is it worth it for 21st-century Australian boys?

Circumcision: Is it worth it for 21st-century Australian boys?