Previous Negative Experiences Research Articles

Women’s preference for caesarean section and the actual mode of delivery – Comparing five sites in Norway

ObjectivesThe caesarean (CS) section rate varies among hospitals in Norway, and little is known about whether this is influenced by women’s preferences. The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in women’s preferred mode of delivery during pregnancy between five hospitals in Norway, and to relate this to the actual mode of delivery. Study designA prospective cohort study of 2,177 unselected pregnant women in five hospitals in Norway. Women were recruited at their standard ultrasound examinations, and data was collected through questionnaires and electronic patient charts. The exposure was a CS preference and the main outcome measure was the actual mode of delivery. ResultsIn total, 3.5% of the primiparous women and 9.6% of the multiparous women reported a preference for CS. This was associated with fear of childbirth and education between 10 and 13 years in both groups, symptoms of depression and an age over 35 years old among the primiparous women, and a previous CS and/or negative birth experience among the multiparous. The multiparous women in Drammen and Tromsø were less likely to prefer a CS, and none of the primiparous women in Tromsø preferred a CS. A total of 67.8% of those who preferred a CS gave birth with this mode of delivery. ConclusionThere were significant differences between the hospitals according to the CS preference. This preference was associated with the previous obstetric history and psychological factors. Therefore, creating good birth experiences and offering women counselling may reduce the CS preference rate.

Contesting the hydrocarbon frontiers: State depoliticizing practices and local responses in Peru

Based on primary sources, this article analyzes 150 participatory events related to planned hydrocarbon projects in Peru (2007–2012). Therein, it sheds light on state depoliticizing practices and local populations’ contestations thereof. We argue that participation in the extraction sector has not enabled effective participation and has instead been used to pave the way for expanding the extractive frontiers. We find that the state entity responsible for carrying out the events applied three main depoliticizing practices: (a) the organization of exclusionary participatory processes, (b) the provision of pro-extraction information, and (c) the identification of critical actors and discourses in order to formulate recommendations on how to weaken resistance against the planned activities. This study also reveals that local populations often contested the participatory events and identifies subnational patterns of local contestation. We find that higher degrees of contestation were fueled by previous negative experiences with extraction activities and the existence of local economic alternatives. To assess the histories and results of contestation over specific extractive activities over time, the study draws on monthly conflict reports produced by the Peruvian ombudsperson (2007–2016). We find that local contestation was quite influential, leading to increased social investment programs in the affected areas, the withdrawal of several extraction corporations, and Peru’s adoption of the Law on Prior Consultation (2011). However, the long-term prospects of the transformations provoked by repoliticizing processes need to be evaluated in the years to come.

Exploring barriers to the use of formal maternal health services and priority areas for action in Sidama zone, southern Ethiopia

BackgroundIn 2015 the maternal mortality ratio for Ethiopia was 353 per 100,000 live births. Large numbers of women do not use maternal health services. This study aimed to identify factors influencing the use of maternal health services at the primary health care unit (PHCU) level in rural communities in Sidama zone, south Ethiopia in order to design quality improvement interventions.MethodsWe conducted a qualitative study in six woredas in 2013: 14 focus group discussions (FGDs) and 44 in-depth interviews with purposefully selected community members (women, male, traditional birth attendants, local kebele administrators), health professionals and health extension workers (HEWs) at PHCUs. We digitally recorded, transcribed and thematically analysed the interviews and FGDs using Nvivo. The ‘three delay model’ informed the analytical process and discussion of barriers to the use of maternal health services.ResultsLack of knowledge on danger signs and benefits of maternal health services; cultural and traditional beliefs; trust in TBAs; lack of decision making power of women, previous negative experiences with health facilities; fear of going to an unfamiliar setting; lack of privacy and perceived costs of maternal health services were the main factors causing the first delay in deciding to seek care. Transport problems in inaccessible areas were the main contributing factor for the second delay on reaching care facilities. Lack of logistic supplies and equipment, insufficient knowledge and skills and unprofessional behaviour of health workers were key factors for the third delay in accessing quality care.ConclusionsUse of maternal health services at the PHCU level in Sidama zone is influenced by complex factors within the community and health system. PHCUs should continue to implement awareness creation activities to improve knowledge of the community on complications of pregnancy and benefits of maternal health services. The health system has to be responsive to community’s cultural norms and practices. The mangers of the woreda health office and health centres should take into account the available budgets; work on ensuring the necessary logistics and supplies to be in place at PHCU.

Can aromatherapy be used to reduce anxiety in hospitalised felines

Background:Within veterinary practice, animals can feel anxious for a number of reasons such as exposure to novel environments, including unfamiliar sounds and smells, the feeling of lack of self-control or previous negative experience. As part of a holistic approach within human medicine, aromatherapy has been utilised in minimising pre-operative stress, reducing anxiety, as well as reducing post-operative pain.Aim:The aim of this study was to assess whether lavender oil is effective in reducing stress in felines.Method:A total of 16 cats took part in the study at a veterinary practice. Eight cats were exposed to lavender oil through inhalation aromatherapy. The other eight cats formed the control group and where not exposed to the lavender oil. Each cat's behaviour was observed and recorded at 10 minute intervals over a period of 30 minutes and scored using ‘Kessler & Turners 1997 Cat Stress Score Chart’.Results:The results showed a statistically significant reduction in behaviours associated with stress and anxiety between the aromatherapy and control groups at each interval: admission (Mann-Whitney U test: w=89.5, n=8,8, p=0.02), 10 minutes (Mann-Whitney U test: w=96.0, n=8,8, p=<0.01), 20 minutes (Mann-Whitney U test: w=96.5, n=8,8, p=<0.01) and 30 minutes (Mann-Whitney U test: w=99.0, n=8,8, p=<0.01) suggesting that the lavender oil does have anxiolytic affects and this can evoke therapeutic responses in felines.

By Chance or by Plan?: The Academic Success of Nontraditional Students in Higher Education

In the United Kingdom, a “good” undergraduate degree is understood to be a “first class” or an “upper second class,” which is achieved by three-quarters of students. The need to distinguish oneself from others is ever more important in an increasingly crowded graduate market, although a first-class degree is most likely achieved by privileged students. Informed by Bourdieu’s theory of habitus and capital, this study explores the educational experiences and trajectories of 30 final-year high-achieving nontraditional (HANT) students through in-depth interviews. These include working-class, minority ethnic, and/or mature students at university. We found that prior development in academic study skills and the desire to prove oneself, often in response to previous negative experiences, are key ingredients in academic success. Our HANT students also seem to find inspiration or support from significant others, an educational capital, although these resources are often by chance rather than by plan. Implications for policy and practice are suggested.

Experiences with skin and soft tissue infections among people who inject drugs in Philadelphia: A qualitative study

ObjectivesTo understand how people who inject drugs (PWID) experience skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) and make decisions to seek or delay medical treatment. MethodsWe conducted semi-structured, in-depth interviews in 2015 with 19 PWID at a syringe exchange program in Philadelphia. We analyzed the data using standard qualitative techniques. ResultsPWID described adequate knowledge about SSTI, although they could not always implement knowledge about SSTI prevention due to environmental constraints. Participants reported different experiences with incident SSTI. Some sought immediate medical care at initial presentation. Most, however, waited to seek care. Previous positive and negative healthcare experiences, both in general -including stigma and withdrawal- and specific to SSTI, influenced this decision. Among those who delayed medical care, some reported self-treatment, including increased drug use for pain control, and lancing and draining their own wounds. ConclusionReducing the incidence of SSTI and promoting earlier treatment are important public health priorities. Both require ongoing attention and improvements to the environments in which PWID inject and receive care.

Perception and barriers: reporting female genital mutilation

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the perceptions of and barriers to reporting female genital mutilation (FGM) by victims and survivors of FGM to the police in England and Wales.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on 14 interviews conducted with adult survivors and victims of FGM. A combination of 1:1 and group interviews were used, based on the preference of the respondents. Respondents were recruited in collaboration with specialist non-governmental organisations and major stakeholders in the area of honour-based violence and black and minority ethnic communities.FindingsA key finding in this research was that all victims/survivors the authors interviewed stated that they did not support the practice of FGM, and that they would not follow it for younger women in their own family. Second, the authors found that none of the respondents had reported their experience to the police. Third, they identified key barriers to reporting, which included: their belief that reporting their own experience would not serve any purpose because they had experienced FGM as children, and in another country; and that they did not feel able to report new incidents of FGM in the community because of a lack of trust in the police due to previous negative experiences. Finally, they believed that FGM could be prevented only by work within the community, and not through engagement with the criminal justice system.Originality/valueThis is, to our knowledge, one of the first papers that is based on victims and survivors’ perceptions that explores barriers to reporting cases of FGM to the police, and offers levers for change.

Promoting Best Practice in Assessment and Intervention: The Challenges of Working in Times of Cutbacks and Change

Promoting Best Practice in Assessment and Intervention: The Challenges of Working in Times of Cutbacks and Change

Psychological factors influencing choice of prenatal diagnosis in Chinese multiparous women with advanced maternal age

Objectives: To investigate the psychological predictors in Chinese multiparous pregnant women of advanced maternal age (AMA) for choosing aneuploidy screening or diagnostic testing.Methods: A total of 84 pregnant women of AMA were consecutively enrolled from Renming Hospital, Wuhan University. All participants completed three questionnaires: Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), and Pregnancy Stress Rating Scale (PSRS). Demographic information and the choice of noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) versus invasive prenatal diagnosis (PND) were also collected.Results: Thirty-seven chose to have invasive PND, and 47 chose NIPT. Choosing invasive PND, as opposed to NIPT, was associated with lower educational background (χ2 = −2.269, p = .023), higher SAS scores (47.62 ± 7.96 versus 44.21 ± 6.10, p = .029), and higher SDS scores (50.41 ± 9.80 versus 45.96 ± 11.05, p = .058). Logistic regression analysis further showed that the decisive predictors for invasive PND are SAS (OR =1.106, p = .008) scores, scores of factor 3 in PSRS and the stress from changes of shape and motility (OR =0.471, p = .038). Subgroup analysis showed that women with previous negative pregnancy experience had higher scores in factor 2-stress (guarantee of maternal-fetal safety: 1.96 ± 0.63 versus 2.49 ± 0.65, p = .004) and total PSRS scores (1.60 ± 0.4 versus 1.83 ± 0.31, p = .044) than those without. Additionally, unemployment post pregnancy was associated with marginally significant higher PSRS scores (p = .083).Conclusions: The decision for invasive PND might be swayed by anxiety and attenuated by pregnancy stress originating from worry about changes in fetal shape and motility (measured by SAS and factor 3 score of PSRS, respectively).

The Unification of Terminology in Terms of Impact of Employees on Decisions Taken in European Business Entities and Polish Law

Abstract One of the consequences of improper management of European businesses, set solely on profit, is the global financial crisis, felt even today by many societies. Previous negative experience has led to a growing interest in the world at present, in the model in which employees are guaranteed involvement in the management of transnational entities. A new, universal legal framework for the functioning of this model has been created by the European Union. Instead of creating a single transnational legal system, it was decided to create a model for employee involvement in management by coordinating national systems. The aim of this study is to analyse the terminology related to the issue of workers’ involvement in the management of European business entities. This analysis will aim to determine whether the legal language used in the EU regulations and directives relating to workers’ involvement in management and implementing acts allows coordination between legal systems of the Member States. In this context, it is particularly important to determine whether the terminology used in EU acts is consistent with the terminology used in Polish implementing laws and how EU terminology fits into current understanding in the Polish legal tradition of institutions of employee involvement in the management of the workplace.

Die Methodistenkirche im »Dritten Reich«

Summary The Methodist Church was not able to establish itself on German soil until the middle of the 19th century. The Free Church’s attitude toward the National Socialist state in the early years of the Third Reich was largely the result of previous negative experiences, especially with the state and the national church. In 1933, the ›Nationale Erhebung‹ [National Uprising] raised expectations for Hitler’s ›positive Christianity‹, in which the Methodists saw a new opportunity for missionary activity. – The Methodist Church leadership took the threat of ecclesiastical ›Gleichschaltung‹ [enforced conformity] very seriously. German-Christian slogans and the events surrounding the intended Reich Church led the Methodists – also at the level of the Association of Protestant Free Churches (VEF) – into discussions with exponents of the Reich Church about ways of unifying the Free Church, in order to oppose integration of the Free Churches into the Reich Church. The Reich Church authorities were mainly concerned with the ›Aufklärungsarbeit‹ [educational work] favouring the Reich, which was to be carried out abroad by the Methodist side. In the wake of the ideological and statutory adjustment, the German Methodists gave their church a new legal basis. With the formation of the German Central Conference and the election of a German bishop in 1936, the path to national independence was consistently pursued within the framework of the overall Church, independent of Reich Church claims and removed from confessional church groups. The Methodist Church remained within the confines of the Nazi way of thinking, for the very reason that it lacked effective theological work. In conduct conforming to the state, the Methodist Church leadership’s rhetoric and activities were oriented to the absolute Hitler state. Free Church concessions, which often caused a wearisome struggle in the communities, were manifested in such areas as the preaching service, in silence over the Jewish question, in the Free Church Nazi propaganda at the 1937 World Church Conference in Oxford and in the Methodist press. Well before the outbreak of war in 1939, the Methodists – like other Germans – were not able to form even a remotely objective picture of true events; they only listened to and read what German propaganda served. Although the Methodist Church was in a position to save itself by way of the Third Reich, it proceeded on a path to theological, religious and ecclesiastical decline as a result of its moral failure, fear, opportunism and lack of faith.

Primary care access and foregone care: a survey of transgender adolescents and young adults.

ObjectiveTo examine the issues of primary care access and foregone health care among transgender adolescents and young adults.MethodsThis cross-sectional analysis of data from the Canadian Trans Youth Health Survey was conducted online during 2013–2014. Participants included 923 youth aged 14–25 (323 adolescents aged 14–18 and 600 young adults aged 19–25). Main outcome measures were self-reported general and mental health status, comfort discussing transgender identity and health care needs with general practitioners, and types of and reasons for self-identified foregone health care.ResultsMost youth reported poor/fair general and mental health status. Comfort with a family doctor was positively correlated with both general health (r(528) = 21, P < 0.001) and mental health (r(450) = 26, P < 0.001) status, as was having a doctor who was aware of one’s transgender status. 47.2% (n = 219) of young adults reported foregoing needed health care. Among adolescents, levels of comfort with family doctor were negatively correlated with foregone mental health care in the previous 12 months (F3,166 = 3.829, P = 0.011), but not correlated with foregone physical health care (F3,165 = 0.506, P = 0.679). Reasons for missing needed care spanned the dimensions of health care access, ranging from cost barriers to previous negative experiences with health care providers, and concerns that a doctor would be uneducated about transgender people.ConclusionGeneral practitioners can play a key role in improving the health of transgender youth by demonstrating understanding of the health care needs of transgender youth and competence in gender-affirming care, and by ensuring that their practices are accessible to all transgender youth in need of care.

Sport psychology in an Olympic swimming team: Perceptions of the management and coaches.

It has been over 20 years since research has been published on perceptions of sport psychology services in Olympic sport, and this work spanned multiple sports, had a North American focus, and did not report management’s views. In this study, we resurrect this line of inquiry through the investigation of management and coaches’ perceptions of sport psychology in a European Olympic swimming team. Following semistructured interviews with 12 members of the management and coaching staff, we identified themes relating to retrospective reflections of past psychology-related services (i.e., negative previous experiences, lack of understanding, unease with service, threat to coach-swimmer relationship) and prospective projections of future psychology-related services (i.e., recognition of importance, scope of target client groups, roles with the coaches, confidentiality issues, practitioner characteristics). Within this team, sport psychology was perceived largely negatively, but despite this, the coaches and management recognized the importance and potential of the service. This apparent disparity can be explained by a range of factors, but the team culture, delivery method, and individual personalities appear to be particularly influential in this regard. To enhance the quality and receptivity of service provision, researchers and practitioners should effectively communicate with recipients of the service and consider not just what is delivered but by whom and how it is delivered.

“Sometimes You Feel Like the Freak Show”: A Qualitative Assessment of Emergency Care Experiences Among Transgender and Gender-Nonconforming Patients

Transgender, gender-variant, and intersex (trans) people have decreased access to care and poorer health outcomes compared with the general population. Little has been studied and documented about such patients' emergency department (ED) experiences and barriers to care. Using survey and qualitative research methods, this study aims to identify specific areas for improvement and generate testable hypotheses about the barriers and challenges for trans individuals needing acute care. A survey and 4 focus groups were conducted with trans individuals older than 18 years who had been to an ED in the last 5 years. Participants were recruited by trans e-mail listservs; outreach to local trans organizations; and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender periodical advertisements. The interview guide was reviewed by qualitative research and trans health content experts. Deidentified participant demographic information was collected with a standardized instrument. All discussions were captured on digital audio recorders and professionally transcribed. Interview coding and thematic analysis were conducted with a grounded theory approach. Among 32 participants, 71.9% were male identified and 78.1% were white. Nearly half (43.8%) reported avoiding the ED when they needed acute care. The factors that had the greatest influence on ED avoidance were fear of discrimination, length of wait, and negative previous experiences. There were 4 overarching discussion themes: system structure, care competency, discrimination and trauma, and avoidance of emergency care. Improvement recommendations focused on staff and provider training about gender and trans health, assurance of private gender identity disclosure, and accurate capture of sex, gender, and sexual orientation information in the electronic medical record. Efforts to improve trans ED experiences should focus on provider competency and communication training, electronic medical record modifications, and assurance of private means for gender disclosure. Future research directions include quantifying the frequency of care avoidance, the effect of avoidance on trans patient morbidity and mortality, and comparing ED patient outcomes by gender identity. Further research with increased inclusion of transwomen and people of color is needed to identify themes that may not have been raised in this preliminary investigation.

The Impact of Extensive Reading on Pre-service Teachers’ Attitudes toward Reading

The present research explored the use of extensive reading(ER) with pre-service Korean English teachers to determine its viability for cultivating more positive attitudes toward English language reading. Pre and post ER intervention surveys were administered to establish whether one semester of extensive reading can impact participants’ attitudes toward L2 reading. Results revealed that having pre-service teachers engage in ER results in higher levels of comfort with English reading, but there was minimal effect on anxiety and intellectual value. They viewed reading as having less practical value after the intervention as well. Participants also believed that ER changed their views about reading in English and most felt ER improved their English reading to some extent. Findings point to the potential value of engaging in ER during pre-service teacher education courses to improve pre-service teachers’ L2 reading attitudes and counteract the previous negative L2 reading experiences that many have had.

HIV Status Disclosure in the Workplace: Positive and Stigmatizing Experiences of Health Care Workers Living with HIV

We explored workplace experiences of 10 health care providers with HIV in the Netherlands. We used semi-structured interviews to discuss motivations for disclosure and concealment, reactions to disclosures, the impact of reactions, and coping with negative reactions. Reasons for disclosure were wanting to share the secret, expecting positive responses, observing positive reactions to others, wanting to prevent negative reactions, and being advised to disclose. Reasons for concealment included fearing negative reactions, observing negative reactions, previous negative experiences, having been advised to conceal, and considering disclosure unnecessary. Positive reactions included seeing HIV as a nonissue; showing interest, support, and empathy; and maintaining confidentiality. Negative reactions included management wanting to inform employees, work restrictions, hiring difficulties, gossip, and hurtful comments, resulting in participants being upset, taken aback, angry, depressed, or feeling resignation. Participants coped by providing information, standing above the experience, attributing reactions to ignorance, seeking social support, or leaving their jobs.

Reducing barriers to consulting a General Practitioner in patients at increased risk of lung cancer: a qualitative evaluation of the CHEST Australia intervention.

Lung cancer has one of the lowest survival outcomes of any cancer because over two-thirds of patients are diagnosed when curative treatment is no longer possible, partly due to later presentation with symptoms to a healthcare provider. To explore the theoretical underpinning of the Scottish CHEST intervention in participants randomized to the intervention group within the CHEST Australia trial. A purposive maximum variation sample of participants who received the intervention in the CHEST trial in Perth, Western Australia (N = 13) and Melbourne, Victoria, (N = 7) were interviewed. Patients were asked about their experience of the CHEST consultation, their recall of the main messages, their symptom appraisal and issues relating to help seeking when they develop symptoms. Thematic analysis was conducted to draw common themes between the participants. We identified themes consistent with the theoretical basis of the CHEST intervention. Barriers to consultation identified in the CHEST Australia trial participants were smoker stigmatization, guilt, fatalism and symptom normalization. We identified a general perceived mistrust of GPs based on previous negative experiences of visiting their GP in relation to their smoking. The intervention tackled barriers around lecturing and feelings of guilt and stigma related to smoking. We identified expected effects on salience and personal relevance of symptoms. Participants reported a clearer understanding of what to look out for and when to take action after the CHEST intervention. These findings suggest that the CHEST Australia intervention is achieving the desired objectives at the qualitative level through the proposed theoretical mechanisms.

Influences on ICT teachers knowledge and routines in a technical e-safety context

The article presents the results of research on the knowledge and routines of ICT teachers in a technical e-safety context. Primary, lower secondary and high school teachers can have a significant impact on the e-safety of children and youngsters by raising their awareness of the risks associated with the use of technologies. Technical e-safety has roughly been acknowledged as an area where interpersonal relationships are not prioritised. A qualitative analysis of open-coded in-depth interviews with ICT teachers using the Grounded Theory method identified determinants that influence teachers’ knowledge and routines and a model of formation was developed. Firstly, there are external and internal influences. Another factor is teachers’ attitudes to e-safety rules that should support safe behaviour. Thirdly, teachers have barriers to protection in their minds and these could hinder their safe behaviour. Previous negative experiences have also been identified as another significant factor that affects a teacher’s e-safety habits. The developed theory describes causal and intervening relationships between the given categories. The developed theory will serve as a basis for proposing steps to improve ICT teachers’ knowledge of e-safety and ways teacher education might be adapted to achieve that.

Addressing maths anxiety within the curriculum

Maths anxiety is a situation-specific anxiety condition which is particularly prevalent in mature students. Previous negative learning experiences with maths condition the brain into maths avoidance behaviours which impacts on students’ choices, their self-efficacy, and their curriculum progression. Otherwise-capable students find themselves unable to study effectively and put-off studying until the last minute. This paper discusses some of the strategies implemented as part of an ongoing collaborative project between the Department for Lifelong Learning (DLL), the Mathematics and Statistics Help centre (MASH), and the Specialist Learning Difference (SpLD) service at the University of Sheffield, the aim of which is to reduce anxiety and engage students to the learning of university mathematics.

Linked factors as predictors of the practice of public relations on the internet: a study of Croatian organizations

A change from traditional interactions between organizations and the public to interactions via the Internet needs further exploration in order to understand factors that might influence public relations activities of organizations on the Internet. This study investigates responses of 111 Croatian PR professionals to a survey about the influence of organization-linked factors on the choice of public relations models on the Internet. The results confirm that the social orientation level of top management members, availability of resources to operate, a previous negative experience with the public and practitioners’ knowledge of research methods and techniques are influential predictors of the choice of the public relations models on the Internet. The findings also validate the contention that the organizations’ selection of the public relations models depends on practitioners’ formal education in PR and the experience in dealing with conflict, PR unit size, its location and role in the formulation of PR strategies. It is also shown that organizational culture, a management style, a support for and understanding of the PR function by top management, an existence UDK: 659.4:004.738.5>=111 Izvorni znanstveni rad/ Originale scientific article 9 of a risk and issue management programs or staff, a PR unit’s involvement in organization-wide decisions, a legal department (counselor) support and a number of PR practioners with a higher education degree are not able to predict organizations’ decision to use a particular model of public relations.