Practice Of Preventive Behaviors Research Articles

Once a man tests, the partner tests as well. A comparison by gender for HCT and STD clinic attendance

Since its outbreak in 1986, Uganda has registered a tremendous decline in HIV prevalence rates from 15% in 1991 to 5% in 2002 though up again to 6.4% in 2006 (2006 UDHS). Currently, an estimated 100,000 new HIV infections occur annually. In recent years, the uptake and practice of preventive behavior have declined, particularly among men. Currently, almost 40 %t of people with HIV are not diagnosed until they already have developed AIDS. That can be up to 10 years after they first became infected with HIV. Finding out whether a person is infected with HIV is the first step to improving their health and that of their partners and their families. The study aimed to assess the contribution, role of men in the fight of HIV/AIDS through HCT.

Coupling infectious diseases, human preventive behavior, and networks – A conceptual framework for epidemic modeling

Human-disease interactions involve the transmission of infectious diseases among individuals and the practice of preventive behavior by individuals. Both infectious diseases and preventive behavior diffuse simultaneously through human networks and interact with one another, but few existing models have coupled them together. This article proposes a conceptual framework to fill this knowledge gap and illustrates the model establishment. The conceptual model consists of two networks and two diffusion processes. The two networks include: an infection network that transmits diseases and a communication network that channels inter-personal influence regarding preventive behavior. Both networks are composed of same individuals but different types of interactions. This article further introduces modeling approaches to formulize such a framework, including the individual-based modeling approach, network theory, disease transmission models and behavioral models. An illustrative model was implemented to simulate a coupled-diffusion process during an influenza epidemic. The simulation outcomes suggest that the transmission probability of a disease and the structure of infection network have profound effects on the dynamics of coupled-diffusion. The results imply that current models may underestimate disease transmissibility parameters, because human preventive behavior has not been considered. This issue calls for a new interdisciplinary study that incorporates theories from epidemiology, social science, behavioral science, and health psychology.

Psychosocial Factors Influencing the Practice of Preventive Behaviors Against the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Among Older Chinese in Hong Kong

This study explored psychosocial factors that influenced the practice of preventive behaviors against the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) among older adults. A total of 354 older Chinese were telephone interviewed during the outbreak of SARS in Hong Kong. They were asked about their perceived health threats, efficacy beliefs, and the practice of SARS preventive behaviors. Only 40.7% of the elderly participants practiced the recommended SARS preventive behaviors. Elderly participants who perceived greater personal vulnerability to the disease, who possessed greater self-efficacy, who had greater confidence in local health authorities, and who had lower educational attainment were more likely to adopt the suggested SARS preventive behaviors. This study supported the conceptual framework that specified perceived health threats and efficacy beliefs as the two core dimensions of motivating factors in adopting SARS preventive behaviors.

The contribution of chronic illness to acceptance of death in hospitalized patients.

This pilot study explored acceptance of death in the chronically ill. It was hypothesized that chronic illness would be a positive predictor of premature acceptance of death. Acceptance of death, if premature, may lead to untimely acquiescence to death, making people less likely to seek medical care and practice preventive health behaviors. A correlational design was used to explore the relationship between chronic illness and acceptance of death, controlling for age. Data were collected on death acceptance using the revised version of the Life Attitude Profile. Number of chronic illnesses was obtained from self-report and a review of the medical record in a sample of 76 hospitalized individuals. The number of chronic illnesses was significantly and positively associated with death acceptance, but age was not. The model explained only 5.2% of the variance in death acceptance, however. Chronic illness is clearly only one of many factors stimulating individuals to ponder death earlier than expected. Nurses need to be alert to the possibility that individuals with multiple chronic illnesses may be prematurely acquiescing to death. If acquiescence causes failure to participate in care, it could potentially exacerbate chronic conditions unnecessarily.

Lyme disease and preventive behaviors in residents of Nantucket Island, Massachusetts

Background: To determine the age-specific prevalence of Lyme disease and whether preventive behaviors on Nantucket Island correlate with Lyme disease, we surveyed island residents. Methods: A survey with questions on Lyme disease symptoms, history, and preventive behaviors was mailed to all residents. Respondents were stratified by likelihood of having had Lyme disease. A subsample was selected for examination, and then classified according to the Lyme disease national surveillance case definition. Results: The overall lifetime prevalence of Lyme disease for Nantucket residents was 15% (CI, 10%–19.8%): 19% among females, and 11% among males. The prevalence was highest among age groups 0–16 and 30–49 years. Overall, 86% of the population practiced at least one behavior. The most frequently reported preventive behavior was checking oneself for ticks (80%), followed by wearing protective clothing (53%), avoiding tick areas (34%), and using tick repellent (11%). Younger individuals practiced fewer preventive behaviors than older individuals ( p=0.001). Although males reported greater tick exposure than females, females uniformly practiced preventive behaviors more frequently ( p=0.001). The practice of preventive behaviors was not associated with a history of Lyme disease, but finding more than 5 ticks per year on oneself was ( p=0.001). Conclusion: Lyme disease is highly prevalent on Nantucket Island. Young people are particularly at risk and health education should emphasize preventive behaviors less frequently practiced: using tick repellent, avoiding tick areas, and wearing protective clothing.

Violent Victimization: Perceptions and Preventive Behaviors Among Young Adults

OBJECTIVE: To investigate factors associated with the practice of preventive behaviors against violent victimization in the community utilizing Health Belief Model concepts. METHODS: Two hundred and fifteen participants, aged 18-24 years, were sampled from 2 collegiate institutions in the Midwest. RESULTS: Of the sample, 27% reported practicing preventive behaviors against violent crime victimization regularly. Predictors of practicing violent crime preventive behaviors included female gender, perceived benefits to practicing preventive behaviors, perceived barriers to practicing preventive behaviors, and personal history of violent victimization. CONCLUSIONS: Individual factors and policy issues should be addressed by health educators with regard to violent crime prevention. (Abstract Adapted from Source: American Journal of Health Behavior, 2000. Copyright © 2000 by the American Academy of Health Behavior) College Student Research Crime Prevention Violence Prevention Victimization Prevention Prevention Recommendations 08-00

Skin cancer prevention and detection practices in a Michigan farm population following an educational intervention.

Farmers face an increased risk of skin cancer, presumed to be secondary to their increased occupational exposure to sunlight. This study examines skin cancer prevention and detection beliefs and practices among adult farmers in defined control and comparison farming communities in four contiguous counties of Michigan, before and after a community-based educational intervention. The educational intervention included mailing packets containing information on skin cancer risks and community sources for screening, disseminating articles in local newspapers on skin cancer prevention and control measures, and providing information and screening at local county fairs and agricultural community fairs. The responses of 2,999 survey participants were analyzed to identify the interrelationships among their beliefs and their descriptions of their (primary preventive) self-care and professional medical care seeking (for detection and treatment) practices. Factors associated with the likelihood of skin cancer screening and with measures of knowledge and practices associated with medical care of skin cancer were examined. The intervention appeared to improve the practice of preventive behaviors and seeking medical care.

Reported pressure ulcer prevention and management techniques by persons with spinal cord injury

Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify factors that resulted in severe pressure ulcers in a community-based sample of 23 persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). Design: A correlational design was used. Subjects: Twenty men and three women, 57% with tetraplegia and 43% with paraplegia, participated. Adult participants with an ulcer of 12 weeks' duration or less were recruited from the plastic surgery clinic of a regional SCI center. Measures: A structured survey assessed demographic, SCI, and ulcer characteristics; detection method; immediacy and appropriateness of action; time from detection to clinic visit; number of prior ulcers; and knowledge and practice of ulcer prevention techniques. Ulcer characteristics (ie, location, size, and stage) were assessed by examination and compared with participants' descriptions of their ulcers. Results: Severe ulcers and ulcers that progressed in severity after initial detection were less accurately described by participants. Individuals who waited longer to come to the clinic presented with more severe ulcers. Taking immediate or appropriate action when an ulcer was detected was related to reported performance of more preventive behaviors. Contrary to expectation, immediacy and appropriateness of action, and knowledge and practice of preventive behaviors were unrelated to severity, progression of severity, and time from detection to the clinic visit. The findings suggest that educational programs should emphasize more strongly immediate visits to a physician upon detection of an ulcer. Furthermore, such educational models should be assessed for their effectiveness in reducing ulcers and preventing progression in severity once persons with SCI return to the community.

Preventing Toxoplasmic Encephalitis in Persons Infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Toxoplasmic encephalitis (TE) is the second most common AIDS-related opportunistic infection of the CNS. It occurs in 10%-50% of patients with AIDS who are seropositive for antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii and have CD4+ T lymphocyte counts of < 100/mm3. Primary toxoplasmic infection usually is acquired by ingestion of T. gondii oocysts from soil contaminated by cat feces or by ingestion of tissue cysts present in undercooked red meats. In patients with AIDS, TE probably results from the reactivation of Toxoplasma tissue cysts that remained latent after the primary infection. Detection of IgG antibodies to Toxoplasma indicates prior infection and the possible presence of tissue cysts and, thus, risk for developing TE. A regimen of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole or dapsone plus pyrimethamine with leucovorin is recommended for persons infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and who are seropositive for IgG to Toxoplasma after their CD4+ T lymphocyte counts fall to < 100/mm3. HIV-infected persons who are seronegative for IgG to Toxoplasma should be counseled to protect themselves from primary toxoplasmic infection by eating only well-cooked meats and washing their hands after outdoor activities involving soil contact; if they have a cat, they should feed it only commercial or well-cooked foods, keep it indoors, and make sure that the litter box is changed daily. HIV-infected persons who are Toxoplasma seropositive may also be advised about these preventive behavioral practices.

Knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors among college women concerning the prevention of osteoporosis.

To assess the knowledge of osteoporosis risk factors among young women, their beliefs about the disease, and to what extent they practice preventive behaviors, such as adequate calcium intake and physical activity. Cross-sectional survey. One hundred twenty-seven women (mean age, 19.6 years; 92% were white) enrolled in a required undergraduate health course at a midwestern state university. One hundred fourteen (90%) of the survey respondents had heard about osteoporosis, but only 49 (43%) of the 114 had received information from either a health care provider or a school. There was a significant relationship between receiving osteoporosis information and the ability to correctly identify risk factors (P < or = .006). Only 6.7% of the women reported getting both adequate "osteoprotective" exercise per week and the recommended 1200 mg of calcium per day. Respondents believed that it was unlikely that osteoporosis would develop in them. They also expressed less responsibility and concern about osteoporosis and believed that it is less serious than other common causes of morbidity and mortality in women, such as heart disease and breast cancer (P < or = .02). There was no significant relationship between risk-factor identification and exercise habits, calcium intake, or beliefs about osteoporosis. The majority of young women are not consuming the recommended daily amount of calcium and are lacking sufficient osteoprotective exercise for building healthy bone. Health care providers and educational institutions either have missed opportunities to educate young women about osteoporosis or such information has not been received and retained. Increasing levels of osteoporosis awareness may not be associated with influencing beliefs or behaviors. However, because of the importance of building an adequate bone mass in early life, our data suggest that the development and evaluation of comprehensive osteoporosis educational interventions targeted at younger women are warranted.

Compliance with breast self-examination instruction in high school students.

In a prospective study, we measured compliance with breast self-examination, using an anonymous questionnaire, in suburban high school students three months (n = 85) and eight months (n = 54) after group instruction. Post-instruction proficiency in performing the procedure and personal health beliefs regarding breast cancer were also evaluated. At three months, 40% of the group reported practicing breast self-examination at some time since instruction; 12% had performed the procedure timed correctly with their menstrual cycle. At eight months, only two girls (4%) had practiced breast self-examination at least once since the three-month evaluation. Proficiency scores overall were high, with 77% scoring 12 points or above on a 15-item questionnaire; however, scores were significantly lower in the 15-year-olds than in the older adolescents. No significant relationships were found between compliance and most personal health beliefs, previous instruction, or level of knowledge of the procedure. Attention should be directed toward assessing the ability and willingness to practice preventive health behaviors before instruction programs are instituted in this age group.

Substance Misuse and HIV/AIDS Risks Among Delinquents: A Prevention Challenge

In the United States, there is growing concern that adolescents are at increasing risk for HIV-1 infection due to recreational substance use and sexual activity. Self-report questionnaires from a sample of 224 incarcerated delinquents quantified associations between drug use, sex, and other behaviors which risk HIV-1 infection. High rates of substance use and HIV-risking behaviors were found. Significant correlations between levels of substance use and both behavioral and attitudinal barriers to HIV/AIDS prevention programming were observed. This evidence and other subgroup differences in denial of vulnerability and in practice of preventive behaviors indicate the need for different approaches to prevention. An integrated HIV/AIDS and substance misuse prevention program is discussed as a viable alternative to the usual knowledge-enhancing programs.

Transcending options: creating a milieu for practicing high-level wellness.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between living in a female‐headed one‐parent family and the family's practice of prevention behaviors. The participants included 59 female‐headed, one‐parent families as well as other data sources that provided a societal perspective on the phenomenon. Interviews, observations, a health diary, and a card sort were used for data collection. This study was carried out according to the tenets of grounded theory. The major finding was the emergence of the theory of transcending options. This theory describes the family's practice of prevention behaviors as a subset of the family's life circumstances. The family's behaviors (health and nonhealth) were a response to the societal options that the woman perceived were available to the female‐headed, one‐parent family. The theory of transcending options describes this process on a continuum. There are three major points on the continuum: choosing options, seeking options, and transcending options. The interface between the family's life circumstances and their practice of prevention behaviors is evident at each of these points.