Understanding Of Health Promotion Research Articles

Health promotion expectations and perceptions of sport club participants.

To develop health promotion (HP) in sports clubs (SCs), stakeholders need to know the HP expectations of sports participants. However, the literature does not provide information on these aspects, which exacerbates the difficulty for SCs to provide an environment, activities and organization that promote health and to play the role entrusted to them in the integration of vulnerable populations. To fill this gap, this study explores the HP expectations and perceptions of sports participants, with a particular focus on ethnocultural characteristics, and documents participants' understanding of HP. A descriptive qualitative study comprising semi-structured interviews was carried out with 22 French and Quebec sports participants. Because they have little experience with HP in their SC, participants do not seem to have many expectations of their SC in terms of HP. Nevertheless, they felt that SCs can play an important role in health and suggested several themes and types of action, such as seminars on nutrition, activities outside the SC to develop cohesion or health monitoring. Sports participants from ethnocultural minorities seem to appreciate the programs designed to integrate them. There is a predominantly physical conception of health and the contribution of SCs to health, and the relationship between the types of health determinants (economic, environmental, organizational and social) and health is not clear. This study shows that the idea of a health-promoting SC appeals to SC participants, but this approach has not yet taken root in this setting or in society as a whole.

Oral health academics\u2019 conceptualisation of health promotion and perceived barriers and opportunities in dental practice: a qualitative study

BackgroundOral diseases place a significant burden on individual and population health. These diseases are largely preventable; health promotion initiatives have been shown to decrease the disease rates. However, there is limited implementation of health promotion in dentistry, this could be due to a number of factors; the ethos and philosophy of dentistry is focused on a curative, individualised approach to oral diseases, confusion around health promotion as a concept. Oral health academics are well placed to implement health promotion, training of these professionals needs to include prevention, as training influences dental practice. However, there is a little understanding about how oral health academics (dental professionals who educate dental and oral health students) view health promotion. The aim of this exploratory study is to understand how oral health academics conceptualise health promotion and perceive the barriers and possible opportunities for health promotion implementation in dental practice.MethodsNominal group technique (NGT), a highly structured face-to-face meeting, was conducted with 24 oral health academics to explore how they conceptualize health promotion and the barriers and opportunities for health promotion in practice. An additional 4 questions were emailed to oral health educators after the NGT meeting to gather additional data, 6 oral health academics were involved. The data was analyzed using thematic analysis.ResultsThree board themes were identified: “Knowledge, ideas and concepts of health promotion”, “Challenges to health promotion”, “Opportunities for health promotion practice”. The oral health academics in this study discussed health promotion in a holistic way, however, health education and behaviour change were mentioned more than other aspects of health promotion. The structure of dental practice specifically the curative approach that underpins dentistry and the lack of funding, and value placed on health promotion could act as a challenge to health promotion being implemented in practice. There has been a shift towards prevention in dentistry, however the participants acknowledge there needs to be a change in the curative culture of the profession. Collaboration with other health professionals and using a common risk factor approach were the identified opportunities for health promotion practice.ConclusionsOral health academics have a holistic understanding of health promotion, but still focus more on behavioural approaches which is common within dentistry. For a change to occur in health promotion practice a change in the structure, curative approach and funding model of dentistry is required. Collaboration with other health professionals is an opportunity to be capitalised on. Training of future dental professionals is the perfect place to start to implement the changes and opportunities for health promotion presented in this paper.

Facilitators and Challenges to Health Promotion in Black and Latino Churches.

Churches are important assets for the African American and Latino communities. They can play a critical role in health promotion, especially in areas that are under-resourced and in which residents have limited access to health care. A better understanding of health promotion in churches is needed to support and maintain church collaborations and health initiatives that are integrated, data-driven, and culturally appropriate. The purpose of this study is to identify churches' facilitators and challenges to health promotion and to contrast and compare Black and Latino churches of different sizes (< 200 members versus > 200 members). We interviewed leaders of 100 Black and 42 Latino churches in South Los Angeles to assess their history of wellness activities, resources, facilitators, and challenges to conduct health promotion activities. Eighty-three percent of African American and 86% of Latino church leaders reported at least one health activity in the last 12months. Black and Latino churches of different sizes have similar interests in implementing specific health promotion strategies and face similar challenges. However, we found significant differences in the composition of their congregations, number of paid staff, and the proportions of churches that have a health or wellness ministry and that implement specific wellness strategies. Fifty-seven percent of African American and 43% of Latino church leaders stated that they needed both financial support and professional expertise for health promotion. Our findings highlight the importance of conducting a readiness assessment for identifying intervention content and strategies that fit the intervention context of a church.

The benefits of student-led health promotion intervention

Purpose The benefits of a student-led mental health promotion intervention on World Mental Health day result in tangible learning benefits for those students. The event occurs within the students’ own university. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach This case study evaluates students’ experience on a mental health promotion intervention. This intervention was to enable students to experience running a health promotion intervention and develop their health promotion skills outside of their lectures. Students were recruited who had just completed a module on health promotion. Students had to plan and organise the intervention, which included involving other organisations and facilities both external and internal to the university. The experience was evaluated through the case study using as data collection a semi-structured interview. Findings Results indicated that students found the experience to be beneficial in deepening their understanding of health promotion, mental health awareness and in increasing their self-esteem. Limitations of this case study are in the argument for reproducibility of results, which is affected by the small number of students who took part. Research limitations/implications There are opportunities to develop this idea further and to broaden the availability of the initiative, enabling more students from diverse backgrounds to experience putting theory into practice. Originality/value To the best knowledge of the author, this study, although with limitations, provided a good understanding on how to develop health promotion skills within a university setting. The outcomes of this study are mainly applicable to a health studies course, educators of mental health promotion, university mental health support services and research related to this topic, especially on promoting mental health awareness and education.

Harmonising the Efforts of School Nurses and Teachers in Health Promotion in Schools

A vital facet that adds value to schools is the partnership between the departments of education and health at national level. At the heart of making this partnership effective in order to achieve its potential is the need for synchronisation of the roles of school nurses and teachers to mitigate sustainability risks. In order to investigate the harmonisation of these roles, an explorative qualitative study was conducted with school nurses and teachers in three district municipalities in two provinces of South Africa. The aim was to determine the perceptions of these two groups of their respective roles and the possibility of harmonising these roles. The administrative task, which included obtaining the consent of parents for their children's immunisation provided an opportunity for sharing responsibilities. However, the roles of school nurses - health screening and immunisation - and the roles of teachers - screening for barriers to learning - could not be harmonised due to a lack of understanding of health promotion and a tendency to work in silos because of a lack of trust and openness. This was compounded by the school managers’ inability to provide guidance and leadership.

Multidisciplinarity in health promotion: a bibliometric analysis of current research.

Health promotion (HP) is a relatively recent field that stems from, notably, public health, sociology, political science, psychology and education. This multidisciplinarity has contributed to HP's challenged institutionalization. Scholars have so far predominately explored HP's multidisciplinarity using anecdotal approaches, limiting our understanding of the breadth and interplay of the disciplines constituting HP research. The overall aim of this paper is to contribute to a better understanding of HP's multidisciplinarity using a bibliometric approach. We developed a three-pronged approach: (i) we examined the most cited journals within Health Promotion International; (ii) we asked an international panel of HP scholars (n = 27) to vote on the journals most relevant to their work; (iii) we examined the most common words in article abstracts among journals which received the highest number of votes. We used multiple correspondence analyses to examine similarities between HPI references, scholars' votes and abstracts' words. We found evidence that HP research reached across numerous disciplines but segregated into distinct subgroups with conflicting perspectives. We found that HPI was the only journal that was identified as relevant by a majority (81% of participants). Multidisciplinarity is a key feature of HP. It can strengthen HP by enriching our understanding of health and social issues from a variety of perspectives, but it may also divide experts into disciplinary silos. This may ultimately weaken its institutional pathways and its contribution to public health. More academic venues and institutions should be developed to facilitate collaboration among HP scholars and practitioners.

Health promotion is ‘A bit of outside of the physiotherapy box’ – Physiotherapy students' understanding of health promotion

Health promotion is ‘A bit of outside of the physiotherapy box’ – Physiotherapy students' understanding of health promotion

The understanding and implementation of health promotion at higher education institutions in Colombia

Objective To characterize the implementation and understanding of health promotion at higher education institutions in Colombia. Methods A qualitative study with an ethnographic approach was carried out at eleven institutions selected in five cities. It was conducted through research tools such as an exploratory survey, interviews, direct observation and review of documents. The information was analyzed considering conceptualizations about health promotion, health settings, and health-promoting universities. Results These institutions have implemented policies and programs and have undertaken actions like education, reorientation of health services, participation and intervention on the environment, as well as research and activities with family and community outreach. Conclusion At these institutions, different scopes related to the development of health promotion were found, i.e. there was a preventive approach along with an inter-sectorial outlook with broad extent. Some of the main challenges for institutions are the training of professionals as agents of change, and fostering health promotion as a process of organizational change.

Perceptions from mental health nurses about health promotion: a qualitative study

Introduction: Individuals with mental disorders are at an increased risk of being overweight or obese. The higher prevalence of these conditions is, at least partially, the consequence of less physical activity and more unhealthy eating habits than the general population. Growing attention is given to the implementation of health promotion interventions in mental health care, but a limited understanding of health promotion is a significant barrier to effective care. The aim of the study was to gain insight into the factors influencing the integration of physical activity and healthy eating into the daily care of individuals with mental disorders. Methods: A descriptive qualitative design using focus groups, based on a purposive sampling strategy was applied. Focus groups with mental health nurses (n=17) were conducted in three sheltered housing organizations in the Flanders region (Belgium) using a semi-structured guideline. Qualitative content analysis techniques were used to analyze the data. Results: Although physical and mental health benefits of physical activity and healthy eating were described, several barriers to integrate healthy lifestyle support into the daily care of patients were identified. Lack of time due to the complexity and variety of problems residents in sheltered housing are suffering from was considered as a substantial barrier. The majority of the respondents perceived themselves as inadequately trained to practice health promotion. So, involving other (mental) health professionals was regarded as required. Discussion: Health promotion activities for particular target populations such as individuals with mental disorders are complex interventions that are to be adapted to and offered next to other treatment aspects such as psychological and medication treatment. Nurse educational programs must teach nurses how to recognize the potential for health promotion opportunities, as well as 15th International Conference on Integrated Care, Edinburgh, UK, March 25-27, 2015 1 International Journal of Integrated Care – Volume 15, 27 May – URN:NBN:NL:UI:10-1-117088– http://www.ijic.org/ how to develop and plan for health promotion, so that it becomes a recognized part of the treatment. Conclusion: The findings of the study resulted in a better understanding of the factors influencing the integration of health promotion activities into the daily care of individuals with mental disorders. Lessons learned: Health promotion targeting physical activity and healthy eating should be integrated into the daily care of people with mental disorders. Supporting the patient to make healthier lifestyle choices is yet not exclusively the responsibility of the mental health nurse. Other (mental) health professionals including psychiatrists, psychologists, general practitioners, dieticians... should also be involved. Limitations: A limitation of qualitative research is the impracticality of using large, representative samples to collect data. The purpose of such research is however not to generalize to larger populations but to gain insight and understanding by hearing from people in depth whereby meanings, experiences and visions of participants can be emphasized. Analysis of qualitative research in inpatient or outpatient settings may probably result in different findings. Suggestions for further research: Further research is required how to overcome the barriers identified form the current study.

Evaluating students’ experience of an integrated assessment: A case study in health promotion

Objectives: To explore the engagement of second year pharmacy students in a South African University, in the implementation and evaluation of an integrated assignment. Methods: The integrated assignment focused on integrating the concepts of health promotion and pharmacotherapy of chronic non communicable diseases in the Anatomy and Physiology course. On completion, students engaged in a process of evaluation that focused on reflection of the assignment experience and their skills development. Results: Insights from the evaluation process revealed ways in which the assignment was educational and empowering. The students positively highlighted their ability to understand the link between various courses in Pharmacy after doing this integrated assignment, enhanced understanding of addressing chronic non communicable diseases, team building and communication skills. Conclusion: The students’ feedback highlighted that the assignment facilitated the achievement of conceptual integration, skills development and positively influenced their understanding of health promotion. The constructive engagement with the students created a space for reflection and facilitated a conducive environment for students to think freely, creatively and recognize the need for health promotion in their role as future pharmacists.

Policies on pets for healthy cities: a conceptual framework.

Drawing on the One Health concept, and integrating a dual focus on public policy and practices of caring from the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion, we outline a conceptual framework to help guide the development and assessment of local governments' policies on pets. This framework emphasizes well-being in human populations, while recognizing that these outcomes relate to the well-being of non-human animals. Five intersecting spheres of activity, each associated with local governments' jurisdiction over pets, are presented: (i) preventing threats and nuisances from pets, (ii) meeting pets' emotional and physical needs, (iii) procuring pets ethically, (iv) providing pets with veterinary services and (v) licensing and identifying pets. This conceptual framework acknowledges the tenets of previous health promotion frameworks, including overlapping and intersecting influences. At the same time, this framework proposes to advance our understanding of health promotion and, more broadly, population health by underscoring interdependence between people and pets as well as the dynamism of urbanized ecologies.

Public health reform and health promotion in Canada

More than 25 years have passed since the release of the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion. This document represented a substantial contribution to public health in its emphasis on the economic, legal, political and cultural factors that influence health. With public health renewal underway across Canada, and despite overwhelming support in the public health community for the Ottawa Charter, how much its principles will be included in the renewal process remains unclear. In this paper, we present the historical understanding of health promotion in Canada, namely highlighting the contributions from the Lalonde Report, Alma Ata Declaration, the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion and the more recent population health movement. We discuss public health renewal, using the province of British Columbia in Canada as an example. We identify the potential threats to health promotion in public health renewal as it unfolds.

A qualitative study of hospital patients' understanding of health promotion

To examine hospital patients' understanding of health promotion in Jordan. Increasingly, hospital nurses are urged to promote patients' health and meet their needs. Yet, internationally, little is known about how patients themselves understand health promotion, and no Jordanian study has been undertaken in this area. A qualitative design was used. Focus group discussions (n = 4) were undertaken with hospital patients. All discussions were digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using qualitative thematic analysis. Three images of health promotion emerged. These include health promotion as having adequate health knowledge, economic independency and good environment. It was also found that gender and spirituality affected patients' conceptualisations. Hospital patients' understanding and expectations of health promotion are complex and go beyond the disease management approach. Therefore, if health promotion is to meet patients' needs and operate at empowerment and socio-economic levels, the images identified in this article should be considered. The study limitations and recommendations for practice and future research are also outlined. There is a need for a framework of health promotion that integrates patients' beliefs in general and particularly those related to religion and gender roles within the daily philosophy of care. Having achieved this, hospital nurses will be able to deliver culturally competent and wide-reaching health promotion.

Nurses’ perceptions, understanding and experiences of health promotion

This paper presents an account of nurses' perceptions and understanding of health promotion in an acute setting. Health promotion is considered the remit of every nurse. To engage in health-promoting practice, however, nurses need to understand the term 'health promotion' clearly. A single qualitative embedded case study was used. Purposive sampling of eight nurses was employed. Initially, theses nurses were observed in practice and, following this, a semi-structured one-to-one interview was conducted with each observed nurse. Qualitative data analysis guided by work of Miles and Huberman was employed. The data revealed one main theme: health-promoting nursing practice and this consisted of six categories and five subcategories. The findings indicated that nurses struggled to describe their understanding of health promotion, their understanding was limited and the strategies described to conduct health promotion were narrow and focused on the individual. Their perceptions and descriptions of health promotion were more in keeping with the traditional health education approach. Overall health promotion was reported to occur infrequently, being added on if the nurse had time. Factors relating to education, organizational and management issues were identified as key barriers prohibiting health-promoting nursing practice. Nurses must recognize that health promotion is a broad concept that does not exclusively focus on the individual or lifestyle factors. Nurses must be educated to recognize health-promoting opportunities in the acute setting, as well as how to plan for and conduct health promotion so that it becomes integral to practice. A review of the methods of organizing and delivering nursing care is also advocated. Ward managers have an important role in supporting nurses, creating a culture for health promotion and sharing power in decision-making processes, so that nurses feel valued and empowered.

Examining the correspondence of theoretical and real interpretations of health promotion

The aim of the research was to identify how the development of concept analyses have influenced practising nurses' understanding of health promotion. More specifically the aim gives rise to the objective of establishing how they translate their understanding into practice. The acknowledgement that nurses are confused about health promotion has led to attempts to define the term through the production of concept analyses, which aim to clarify the term for nursing education, research, policy and practice. A qualitative approach, using semi-structured interviews was undertaken with a purposive sample of 21 district nurses, based throughout Wales. Thematic content analysis was used to order, describe and interpret the data. Generally the respondents gave definitions of health promotion that were confined to the traditional conceptualization of health promotion, comprising actions aimed at changing the behaviour of individuals. These interpretations were translated into practice, where district nurses adopted a mainly reactive and individualistic approach to health promotion. The paper concludes that the more contemporary definitions of health promotion that focus on empowerment, community development and socio-political action are yet to reach practising district nurses. Considerable effort is required from educationalists and practitioners if nurses are to include these 'new paradigm' approaches to health promotion in their practice.

Parent-adolescent health conversations as action: Theoretical and methodological issues

A qualitative research method based on action theory is proposed and illustrated for use in health psychology and health promotion research. Action refers to the goal-directed and intentional behaviors of individual and groups. Action theory has the advantage of using the perspectives provided by manifest behavior, internal processes, and social meaning in the analysis of action. In this article, the actions under consideration are the health-related conversations of parents and their adolescent children. The approach is premised on an understanding of health promotion as a family task constructed through actions such as conversations between family members. Health conversations in two parent-adolescent dyads are used to illustrate the method. The analysis includes the identification of goals, functional steps, and elements and their relation to the family health promotion project. Specific attention is paid to data gathering and analysis issues and their implications for health promotion research.

Hospital doctors and health promotion: support for teaching behaviour change

This article describes the development in the West Midlands Region of an educational pack for junior hospital doctors on the principles and practice of health promotion. It has been designed to encourage young doctors to apply research-based strategies for behaviour change within their own work and to provide informed support to the work of other professionals who have more time to spend with patients. The process of development was informed by a research study of cardiologists' understanding of health promotion and by pilot work with a variety of hospital specialties. The educational pack focuses on those aspects of health promotion work of most relevance to junior doctors.It uses the'Cycle of Change'model developed by Prochaska & DiClemente, to help patients (and doctors) change their behaviour. It can be used either independently, or as material to support interactive teaching and learning sessions. It is thus designed to integrate with the new learner-centred, interactive learning movement in medical education.

Student nurses’ perceptions of health promotion: a study

This article reports the findings of a comparative descriptive study of Project 2000 student nurses and student nurses following the apprenticeship model of training (conventional). The research compared their perception of health promotion with the perception of their roles as health promoters. The study used a mixture of quantitative and qualitative methodology including a questionnaire, Likert Scale assessment of statements, and interviews. The results showed that there was no significant difference between the two groups except in two areas. The conventional students agreed more strongly than the Project 2000 students that their roles as health promoters were very important. The Project 2000 students were able to name eight different health promotion models/approaches and applied some of them in practice, while the conventional students had no knowledge of health promotion models/approaches. The researcher recommends that a wider understanding of health promotion should be encouraged and that nurse lecturers and clinical staff should work more closely to develop a consistent approach to health promotion.