Receiving Health Advice Research Articles

Consejo sanitario previo a inmigrantes que viajan para visitar a familiares y amigos

ObjectiveImmigrants who make or plan journeys to visit their families in their countries of origin (immigrants -visiting friends and relatives, I-VFR) have a higher risk of acquiring travel-associated diseases than other travellers. The main aim of this study is to analyse the knowledge of the immigrant population on the need to receive health advice (HA) before making international journeys in general and in particular before travelling to their country of origin. DesignObservational, multicentre study. SettingTen Family Doctors from 10 Health Centres in Catalonia and Aragon participated ParticipantsA total of 555 immigrants ≥ 15 years of age, who consulted their Family Doctor and agreed to answer a questionnaire. Opportunity sampling was used. ResultsA total of 389 (70.1%) of those surveyed considered it necessary to receive HA before making an international journey, 406 (73.2%) were I-VFR and 145 (35.7%) had requested HA prior to the journey, mostly from their Family Doctor (n=60; 41.1%).Almost two-thirds (261, 65.2%) of the subjects did not seek HA, with the most common reason being that they did not consider it necessary (173, 42.6%). ConclusionsI-VFR do not usually request HA prior to travelling, basic due to considering it unnecessary. When they do request it, they are very often initially directed to their Family Doctor.

Measles transmission by ‘fly‐in fly‐out’ workers in Australia

To describe the outbreak investigation and control measures for a cluster of measles cases involving 'fly-in fly-out' (FIFO) workers on an off-shore industrial vessel. Following Australian guidelines, measles cases were interviewed and at-risk contacts on the Australian mainland received measles vaccine, immunoglobulin or health advice. For the industrial vessel: (i) exposed FIFO workers who had already left the vessel received health advice through their employer; (ii) workers remaining on the vessel were offered measles vaccine; and (iii) FIFO workers joining the vessel for 21 days following the prodrome onset of the last case of measles on the vessel were offered measles vaccine. Measles virus isolates were sent for genotype determination. Four measles cases from two Australian jurisdictions were epidemiologically linked to the retrospectively identified index case, a New Zealand FIFO worker. No further cases were detected following the institution of outbreak control measures. FIFO workers congregating on large industrial projects are a discrete risk group with the potential to spread infectious diseases over large distances, both domestically and internationally. FIFO workers' immunisation history should be reviewed prior to deployment. Catch-up vaccination, where appropriate, would minimise transmission of vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles and help maintain a healthy, productive workforce.

Exploring predictors influencing intended and actual acceptability of the A/H1N1 pandemic vaccine: A cohort study of university students in Hong Kong

To investigate the factors associated with the uptake of influenza A/H1N1 vaccination by university students, and to examine the relationship between intention and actual vaccination. Prospective cohort study. A baseline survey was conducted among students at the Chinese University of Hong Kong in 2009 to collect data on demographics, pandemic risk perceptions and self-reported intention to be vaccinated in the future. A follow-up survey was conducted in 2011 using an online survey platform collecting information on actual vaccine uptake behaviour, and vaccine attitudes, knowledge and perceptions. Self-reported intention to be vaccinated in 2009 was significantly associated with actual vaccine acceptance. Vaccine perceptions (attitudes and knowledge) were found to be a better predictor of vaccine acceptance than disease risk perceptions. Being a medical or science student and receiving health advice about vaccination from a doctor or school-endorsed advertisement were also found to be predictors of vaccine acceptance. University students in Hong Kong were wary of the A/H1N1 vaccination campaign, as revealed by their low uptake rate and doubts about the vaccine. Knowledge of the pandemic and vaccine was high in this population, but feelings of susceptibility were low. The results indicate a need to provide tailored messages emphasizing the importance of vaccination and the efficacy of the vaccine in the future.

A Snapshot of Renal Transplant Patients Using Medical Web Browsing

This study explored the pattern of Internet use by renal transplant patients in the West of Scotland. A 31-item questionnaire was used to obtain information about patient's Internet use and the relations between Internet use and sex, age, education, and health requirements. The study consists of 84 postrenal transplant patient surveys. Validation of the questionnaire showed an intraclass correlation coefficient 0.77 to 0.96 with 95% confidence interval (CI 0.75-0.99). The overall response rate was 65% (n=84/130). In all, 87% of the patients (n=73/84) had access to a computer and the Internet. And 94% of the patients (n=60/64) in age groups 21 to 60 years had access to the Internet with no difference in the access in various age subgroups, whereas 67% of the patients (n=12/18) in age group 61 to 70 years (P = .004) had Internet access. The Internet was a preferred source of health information for 70% of the patients (n=59/84) as compared to books 17% (n=14/84; P = .003) and magazines 12% (n=10/84; P = .001). Of the Internet group, 90% (n=53/59) looked up information on transplantation mostly about transplant operations (69%) and rejection (66%). Of all the patients, 85% (n=71/84) of them would like the transplant team to develop a Web site for information on transplantation and 52 (62%) would like to receive health advice by e-mail. The majority of renal transplant patients use the Internet for information on transplantation. Almost all patients under 60 years old had access to the Internet for this purpose; suggesting a trend toward the Internet as the favored way to get information. Transplant units should develop flexible, Web-based sources of transplant-related information. This would allow rapid adaptation to changes in prevalent practice, reflecting the preferences of the patient population.

PTU-024 Alcoholism and alcoholic liver disease: a British Society of Gastroenterology survey of public knowledge and attitudes

<h3>Introduction</h3> Alcohol consumption and alcoholic liver disease are rising steeply in the UK. Because this is seen as a major health hazard by the British Society of Gastroenterology, and society at large, we conducted a survey of knowledge and attitudes in an age, sex and regionally balanced sample) of the UK population. <h3>Methods</h3> A 10-question 80-response survey of knowledge of and attitudes to alcohol and obesity across the UK conducted through the polling organisation, YouGov yielded 1956 complete responses. <h3>Results</h3> Twenty two per cent of respondents did not drink alcohol and 23% always stayed within recommended limits compared to 52% who exceeded them (21% doing so often and/or by great amount). Among those exceeding the limits 39% objected to health advice and 33% regarded their drinking as moderate. Binge drinking with friends was reported by 17% (36% of 18/24 years, with 11% drinking to help confidence with opposite sex). Drinking to calm nerves was cited as a reason by 15% and depression by 8%. 13% thought limits were too low and 15% that their body could handle excess alcohol. Only one third would seek help from their GP vs 20% for counselling (30% in London) and 21% for Alcoholics Anonymous. Twenty three per cent blamed social isolation for alcohol excess in UK and 49% thought consumption would continue to rise in UK for 10 years. Banning advertising aimed at young people was supported by 62%, with 23% supporting minimum unit pricing. <h3>Conclusion</h3> This large, balanced study shows that alcoholism is prevalent across the UK and people are resistant to receiving health advice about it. New approaches to communication are needed. However, a majority would support restrictions on advertising.

Digital Divide: Variation in Internet and Cellular Phone Use among Women Attending an Urban Sexually Transmitted Infections Clinic

We sought to describe: (1) the prevalence of internet, cellular phone, and text message use among women attending an urban sexually transmitted infections (STI) clinic, (2) the acceptability of health advice by each mode of information and communication technology (ICT), and (3) demographic characteristics associated with ICT use. This study is a cross-sectional survey of 200 English-speaking women presenting to a Baltimore City STI clinic with STI complaints. Participants completed a self-administered survey querying ICT use and demographic characteristics. Three separate questions asked about interest in receiving health advice delivered by the three modalities: internet, cellular phone, and text message. We performed logistic regression to examine how demographic factors (age, race, and education) are associated with likelihood of using each modality. The median age of respondents was 27 years; 87% were African American, and 71% had a high school diploma. The rate of any internet use was 80%; 31% reported daily use; 16% reported weekly use; and 32% reported less frequent use. Almost all respondents (93%) reported cellular phone use, and 79% used text messaging. Acceptability of health advice by each of the three modalities was about 60%. In multivariate analysis, higher education and younger age were associated with internet use, text messaging, and cellular phone use. Overall rate of internet use was high, but there was an educational disparity in internet use. Cellular phone use was almost universal in this sample. All three modalities were equally acceptable forms of health communication. Describing baseline ICT access and the acceptability of health advice via ICT, as we have done, is one step toward determining the feasibility of ICT-delivered health interventions in urban populations.

‘The bigger the better’ – mothers' social networks and child nutrition in Andhra Pradesh

It is hypothesised that mothers' social networks can positively affect child nutrition through the sharing of health knowledge and other resources. The present study describes the composition of mothers' networks, examines their association with child nutrition, and assesses whether health knowledge is shared within networks. Cross-sectional data for mothers of young children from Andhra Pradesh (south India) were combined with existing data from the Young Lives study, in which the mothers were participating (n = 282). The composition of social networks varied between urban and rural areas, with urban networks being larger, more female, more literate and with a greater proportion of members living outside the household and being non-family. There was a positive association between child's height-for-age Z-score and mother's network size and network literacy rate. The association with network literacy was stronger among the poorest households. Women commonly reported seeking or receiving health advice from network members. Big and literate social networks are associated with better child nutrition, especially among the poor. The dissemination of health knowledge between network members is a plausible way in which social networks benefit child nutrition in India. Further research into the underlying mechanisms is necessary to inform the development of interventions that channel health information through word of mouth to the most excluded and vulnerable families.

Does Physician Weight Affect Perception of Health Advice?

Background. Obesity is considered a growing health threat in the United States. Although physicians have an important role in counseling their patients for obesity prevention and treatment, physicians themselves are often overweight. There are few data regarding how physician body weight might affect patient receptiveness to obesity counseling. Methods. A 43-item survey instrument was developed that consisted of three scales related to physician characteristics, health locus of control, and perceptions on receiving health advice from overweight physicians. The survey was administered to 226 patients in five physician offices. Two of the physicians were classified as obese using BMI calculations, and three were nonobese. The responses from the surveys were grouped into those from obese and nonobese physicians. Results. Significant differences were found for patient receptiveness to counseling for treatment of illness ( P = 0.038) and health advice ( P = 0.049), with the patients of nonobese physicians indicating greater confidence scores. The difference for weight and fitness counseling did not reach significance ( P = 0.075). Analysis revealed that patient BMI was not a significant covariate nor were items related to physician characteristics in general or health locus of control. Conclusions. Patients seeking care from nonobese physicians indicated greater confidence in general health counseling and treatment of illness than patients seeing obese physicians. It is not known if this can be translated into increased success in obesity prevention and treatment.

A comparison of HIV related advice in genitourinary medicine clinics with different histories.

To examine attendees reported experiences of health advice provision in genitourinary (GUM) clinics with different histories. A self-completed anonymous questionnaire was distributed at five clinics in the West Midlands Region of the United Kingdom. 297 of the 360 attendees approached returned completed questionnaires; 89.5% reported receiving health advice, 86.4% found all of this easy to understand and 10.4% wanted more advice. However, 33.9% received no advice on either HIV or safer sex. Those attending new clinics, set up since the HIV pandemic, were more likely than those attending older clinics, to have understood the advice given, to have had advice on both HIV and safer sex, and less likely to have wanted more advice. Among those attending with a concern about HIV, 14% claimed to have received no advice on either HIV or safer sex; with no difference between old and new clinics. For those attending with reasons particularly relevant to receiving HIV related advice, but not with a concern about HIV, 40% claimed to have received neither HIV nor safer sex advice. In this sub-sample, those attending new clinics were more likely to have received advice on HIV as well as safer sex, and less likely to want more advice. The results indicate that the provision of advice needs to be reconsidered, particularly in older clinics.