Household waste recycling behavior: a market segmentation model

The potential of social marketing has been recognized in the United Kingdom by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) as a useful tool for behavioral change for environmental problems. The techniques of social marketing have been used successfully by health organizations to tackle current public health issues. This article describes a research project which explored the current barriers to recycling household waste and the development of a segmentation model which could be used at the local level by authorities charged with waste collection and disposal. The research makes a unique contribution to social marketing through the introduction of a competencies framework and market segmentation for recycling behaviors.

Interactive online health promotion interventions : a “health check”

As an increasingly popular medium by which to access health promotion information, the Internet offers significant potential to promote (often individualized) health-related behavioral change across broad populations. Interactive online health promotion interventions are a key means, therefore, by which to empower individuals to make important well being and treatment decisions. But how ldquohealthyrdquo are interactive online health promotion interventions? This paper discusses a literature review (or ldquohealth checkrdquo) of interactive online health interventions. It highlights the types of interactive interventions currently available and identifies areas in which research attention is needed in order to take full advantage for the Internet for effective health promotion.

Strategies for public engagement on environmental matters:you can lead a horse to water, but can you make it drink?

With no tangible evidence of widespread public engagement in the UK on matters relating to the environment, this article assesses the benefits of adopting the principles of key theoretical models on learning (e.g., Kolb's Experiential Model) in environmental campaigns. In addition, in order to facilitate the transition from environmental knowledge/awareness, to the adoption of proenvironmental behavior, the article reviews some of the key internal and external drivers to achieving sustained behavioral change.

Interactive online health promotion interventions:a “health check”

As an increasingly popular medium by which to access health promotion information, the Internet offers significant potential to promote (often individualized) health-related behavioral change across broad populations. Interactive online health promotion interventions are a key means, therefore, by which to empower individuals to make important well being and treatment decisions. But how ldquohealthyrdquo are interactive online health promotion interventions? This paper discusses a literature review (or ldquohealth checkrdquo) of interactive online health interventions. It highlights the types of interactive interventions currently available and identifies areas in which research attention is needed in order to take full advantage for the Internet for effective health promotion.

Impact of a comprehensive nutrition and lifestyle education intervention on body weight and health-related outcomes in morbidly-obese Hispanic-Americans following laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

As morbid obesity increasingly affects Hispanic-Americans, the incidence of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedures (RYGB) among this population rises. Prospective research on the impact of postoperative educational interventions focused on Hispanic- Americans is needed to prevent premature weight loss plateau, weight regain, nutritional deficiencies, and relapse of obesity-related comorbidities. This randomized-controlled study evaluated the impact of a comprehensive nutrition and lifestyle education intervention (6 biweekly postoperative sessions that incorporated motivational strategies for behavioral change) as compared to a non-comprehensive approach (printed guidelines for healthy lifestyle). The variables to consider are body weight, obesity-related comorbidities (depression, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and others), nutrient status, physical activity, and eating habits in 144 morbidly-obese adult Hispanic-Americans 6 to 12 months following RYGB. Patients were randomly assigned to either the comprehensive intervention (n=72) or the comparison group (n=72). Participants (mean age 44.5 ± 13.5 years) were mainly Cuban-born females (83.3%). Intervention sessions attendance was 64%. At 12 months, both groups lost weight significantly, but those in the comprehensive intervention experienced greater excess weight loss than those in the comparison group (80% vs. 64% from preoperative excess weight, P<.001). Intervention participants were significantly more involved in physical activity (+ 14 min/week vs. – 4 min/week), had decreased depression, joint illness, and required less medication for comorbidities than comparison participants. Additionally, those in the comprehensive intervention had sustained supplement intake experiencing less folate deficiency (P=.014). The non-comprehensive intervention group significantly decreased their protein and supplement intake compared to the intervention group. Patients in the comprehensive intervention had significantly better eating habits reflected by fewer episodes of dumping syndrome, constipation, and night eating, than those in the comparison group who reported greater eating in response to negative emotions (P=.003). These findings support the importance of a comprehensive educational approach to achieve more effective weight reduction and health-related outcomes to prevent relapse of obesity-related comorbidities and nutritional deficiencies in Hispanic-Americans 6 to 12 months following RYGB.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices affecting health behaviors in the U.S. Army Special Operations Command population of Rangers

Malaria is a threat to United States military personnel operating in endemic areas, from which there have been hundreds of cases reported over the past decade. Each of these cases might have been avoided with proper adherence to malaria chemoprophylaxis medications. Military operations may detract from the strict 100% adherence required of these preventive medications. However, the reasons for non-adherence in military populations are not well understood. This behavior was investigated using a cross sectional study design on a convenience sample of U.S. Army Ranger volunteers (n=150) located at three military instillations. Theoretical support was based on components of the Health Belief Model, the Theory of Reasoned Action/Theory of Planned Behavior, and the Social Cognitive Theory. ^ Data on knowledge, attitudes, and practices, as well as multiple environmental domains was collected using an original yet unvalidated questionnaire. The data was analyzed using bivariate Pearson correlations, binary logistic regression, and moderated logistic regressions employing a 0.05 criterion of statistical significance. Power analyses predicted 96-98% power for this analysis. ^ Multiple significant medium strength Pearson correlation coefficients were identified relative to the two dependent variables Take medications as directed and Intend to take the medications as directed the next time. Binary logistic regression analyses identified multiple variables that may predict behavioral intentions to adhere to these preventive medications, as a proxy for behavioral change. Moderated logistic regression analyses identified Command Support for adherence to these medications as a potential significant moderator that interacts with independent variables within three domains of the survey questionnaire. ^ The findings indicate that there may be potential significant beneficial effects, which may improve this behavior in this population of Rangers through 1) promoting affirmative interpersonal communications that emphasize adherence to these medications, 2) including malaria chemoprophylaxis medications in the mission planning process, and 3) military command support, in the form of including the importance of proper adherence to these medications in the unit safety briefings.^

The use of motivational interviews by nurses to promote health behaviors in adolescents: a scoping review protocol

Adolescents - defined as young people between 10 and 19 years of age1 - are, in general, a relatively healthy segment of the population.2 However, the developmental changes that take place during adolescence may affect their subsequent risk for diseases and for a variety of health-related behaviors. In fact, early onset of preventable health problems (e.g. obesity, malnutrition, STDs) and the engagement in health risk behaviors (e.g., sedentary life style, excessive alcohol consumption, unprotected sex) during adolescence, are likely to put them at greater risk for physical and mental health problems at a later stage in life. Moreover, health related problems and health risk behaviors may disrupt adolescents' physical and cognitive development and therefore may affect their ability to think and act in relation to decisions about their health in the future.1 In summary, health-related behaviors in adolescence, apart from their influence on the continuum of "health-disease", they also have the potential to influence future behaviors. In fact, several studies have shown that past behaviors are good predictors of future behaviors .3,4 Thus, promoting healthy practices during adolescence and taking measures to better protect young people from health risks are essential for the prevention of health problems in adulthood.5 According to the World Health Organization, the main problems affecting young people include mental health problems (such as behavioral disorders, eating disorders, suicide, anxiety or depression), the use of substances (illegal substances, alcohol and tobacco), interpersonal violence, nutrition (a proper nutrition consists of healthy eating habits and physical exercise), unintentional injuries (which are a leading cause of death and disability among young people, with road traffic injuries accounting for about 700 deaths per day), sexual and reproductive health (for example, risky sexual behaviors, early pregnancy and childbirth) and HIV (resulting from sexual transmission and drug injection).5,6 On the other hand, the number of children and youth with chronic health conditions has increased dramatically in the past four decades7 as larger numbers of chronically ill children survive beyond the age of 10.8 Despite the lack of data on adolescents' health making it difficult to determine the prevalence of chronic illnesses in this age group9, it is known that one in ten adolescents suffers from a chronic condition worldwide.10 In fact, national population based studies from Western countries show that 20-30% of teenagers have a chronic illness, defined as one that lasts longer than six months.8 The most prevalent chronic illness among adolescents is asthma and the one with the highest incidence is diabetes mellitus, particularly type II.9 Traditionally, healthcare professionals have been mainly investing in health education activities, through the transmission of knowledge with a view to creating habits, customs and behaviors, and promoting healthy lifestyles. However, empowering people does not only consist of giving them the right information11 , i.e. good information is not enough to cause people to make changes.12 The motivation or desire to change unhealthy behaviors and habits depends on many factors, namely intrinsic motivation, control over personal decisions, self-confidence and perception of effectiveness, personal ambivalence, and individualized assistance.12 Many professionals assume that supplying knowledge is sufficient for behavioral changes; however, even very good advice often fails to generate behavioral change. After all, people continue to engage in unhealthy behaviors despite clearly knowing what they should do and how to change. "What is lacking is the motivation to apply that knowledge".13, p.1233 In fact, behavioral change is a complex phenomenon with multiple determinants that also includes motivational variables. It is associated with ambivalent processes expressed in the dilemma between keeping the current status and moving on to new ways of acting. For example, telling adolescents that if they keep on engaging in a certain behavior, they are increasing the risk of developing a long-term condition such as cardiovascular disease, stroke or diabetes is rarely enough to trigger the desired behavioral change; people are more likely to change when they believe that the change is really effective and that they are able to implement it.12 Therefore, it is essential to provide specific training for "healthcare professionals to master motivational techniques, avoid confrontation with the users, and facilitate behavioral changes".14 In this context, motivating patients to make behavioral changes is also an important nursing task where change in lifestyle is a major element of patients' treatment and preventive interventions.15 One of the nurse's goals is to help improve a patient's health or help them to manage existing health conditions. Once nurses are in a position where they have to focus on accomplishing tasks and telling patients what needs to be accomplished16, the role of the nurse is expanding even more into the use of motivational strategies.17 MI is bringing nurses back to therapeutic communication and moving them closer to successful health promotion and disease management, by promoting behavior change and empowering their patients. As the nursing profession evolves, MI is seen as a challenge and the basis of nurse's interactions with individuals, families and communities.16, 17 In the same way, MI may be taken as an essential tool in the provision of nursing care to adolescents, being itself a workspace with possible therapeutic effects regarding problems, clarification of doubts, and development of skills.18 In fact, MI may be particularly applicable in work with adolescents because of their specific developmental stage. Adolescents attempt to establish their own autonomy and identity while struggling with social interactions and moral issues, which leads to ambivalence.19 Consistent with the developmental challenges during adolescence, "MI explicitly honors autonomy, people's right and irrevocable ability to decide about their own behavior"20 while allowing the person to explore possibilities for change of risky or maladaptive behaviours.19 MI can be defined as a directive, client-centred counselling style for eliciting behavior change by helping clients to explore and resolve ambivalence. It is most centrally defined not by technique but by its spirit as a facilitative style of interpersonal relationship.21 It is a set of strategies and techniques widely used in clinical practice based on the transtheoretical model of change. The Stages of Change model describes five stages of readiness—precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance—and provides a framework for understanding behavior change.22 The MI has been widely tested and applied in different areas, such as modification of addictive behaviors, interventions with offenders in the context of justice, eating disorders, promotion of therapeutic adherence among chronic patients, promotion of learning in school settings or intervention with adolescents at risk.18,23 In general, clinical practice has been adopting the perspective of motivation as something relatively immutable, i.e., the adolescent is either motivated for change/treatment and, in these conditions, the professional's role is to help him/her, or the adolescent is not motivated and then change/treatment is not feasible. Alternatively the theoretical model underlying the MI technique postulates that the individual's adherence to change/treatment depends on his/her motivation, which can change throughout the therapeutic intervention. As several studies found positive results for effects of MI24-26 and its use by health professionals is encouraged23,27 nurses may play an important role in patients' process of change. As nurses have a crucial role in clinical contexts, they can facilitate the process of ending risk behaviors and/or adopting positive health behaviors through some motivational techniques, namely with adolescents. A considerable number of systematic reviews about MI already exist pointing to some benefits of its use in the treatment of a broad range of behavioral problems and diseases.13,28,29 Some of the current reviews focus on examining the effectiveness of MI for adolescents with diverse health risks/problems 30-32. However, to date there are no reviews that present and assess the evidence for the use of nurse-led MI in adolescents. Therefore, we have little knowledge of what works for whom (which adolescent subpopulation) under what circumstances (in which setting, for what problem) in relation to motivational interviewing by nurses. There is a clear need for scoping or mapping the use of MI by nurses with adolescents to identify evidence gaps and to inform opportunities for future development in nursing practice. On the other hand, information regarding nurse-led implemented and evaluated interventions, techniques and/or strategies used, contexts of application and adolescents subpopulation groups is dispersed in the literature33-36 which impedes the formulation of precise questions about the effectiveness of those interventions conducted by nurses and therefore the realization of a systematic review. In other words, it is known that different kind of motivational interventions have been implemented in different contexts by nurses, however does not exist a map about all the motivational techniques and/or strategies used. Furthermore the literature does not clarify which is the role of nurses at cross professional motivational intervention implemented programs and finally the outcomes and evaluation of interventions are unclear. Thus, the practical implication of this mapping will be clarifying all these aspects. Without this clarification is not possible to proceed to the realization of a systematic review about the effectiveness of the use of motivational interviews by nurses to promote health behaviors in adolescents, in a particular context and/or health risk behavior; or regarding the effectiveness of certain technique and/or strategy of MI. Consequently, there are important questions about the nature of the evidence in this area that need to be answered before formulating a precise question of effectiveness. This scoping review aims to respond to these questions. An initial search of the JBI Database of Systematic Reviews & Implementation Reports, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, , Database of promoting health effectiveness reviews (DoPHER), The Campbell Library, Medline and CINAHL, has revealed that currently there is no Scoping Review (published or in progress) on the subject. In this context, this scoping review will examine and map the published and unpublished research around the use of MI by nurses implemented and evaluated to promote health behaviors in adolescents; to establish its current extent, range and nature and identify its feasibility, outcomes and gaps in the evidence defining research priorities in this field. This scoping review will be informed by the JBI methodology37 that suggests a five stage methodological framework for conducting scoping reviews which includes: identifying the research question, searching for relevant studies, selecting studies, charting data, collating, summarizing and reporting the results.

PERFIL DOS FREQUENTADORES DAS ACADEMIAS DE GINÁSTICA DE UM MUNICÍPIO DO RIO GRANDE DO SUL

Objetivo: Traçar o perfil dos frequentadores das academias de ginástica do município de Canguçu-RS. Métodos: Estudo transversal, de caráter descritivo, com 177 frequentadores de academias de diversas modalidades. Utilizou-se um questionário estruturado, contendo 76 questões para mensurar variáveis sociodemograficas, antropométricas, nutricionais e comportamentais, além de informações relacionadas às praticas nas academias. Realizouse análise descritiva dos dados, com cálculo de médias ± desvios-padrão para as variáveis contínuas e cálculo de proporções para as variáveis categóricas. Resultados: Participaram 177 frequentadores das academias na cidade de Canguçu-RS (30±12,5 anos; 70,0±12,8 kg; 1,69±0,1m). Com relação às variáveis comportamentais, a maioria nunca fumou (71,8%), não bebia exageradamente (89,9%) e era ativa no lazer (87%). No tocante às variáveis nutricionais, 66,7% tinham índice de massa corporal normal e a maioria não alcançava as recomendações de consumo diário de frutas, verduras e legumes, e não usava suplementos (69,5%). No que diz respeito às variáveis relacionadas à academia, a maioria dos respondentes frequentava há mais de 12 meses (56,5%), quatro ou mais vezes por semana (52%), à noite (52,5%), relatando que o principal motivo para ir à academia foi permanecer saudável (78%). Os praticantes afirmaram satisfação com os objetivos alcançados (60%) e praticavam a modalidade de musculação (97,2%). Conclusão: A maioria dos frequentadores das academias era do sexo masculino, jovem, ativa no lazer, praticava a modalidade de musculação e estava satisfeita com os resultados buscados nas academias. Apesar disso, são necessárias estratégias de mudança de comportamento em relação ao consumo de frutas, verduras e legumes.

Perceptions and risky behaviors associated with Leptospirosis in an endemic area in a village of Ubon Ratchathani Province, Thailand.

Background: Leptospirosis, a disease caused by Leptospira species, a spirochaete bacterium that can develop in an appropriate environment and/or grow in human and/or animal hosts, is a serious problem for the Ministry of Public Health, Thailand. Objective: To investigate people’s perceptions and behavioral risks regarding leptospirosis infection. Methods: The cross-sectional descriptive study collected data in May, 2013. Data on individuals’ perceptions and risky behaviors concerning leptospirosis were collected from 104 completed questionnaires. Results: Regarding perceptions of leptospirosis, we found them to be at a high level (97.1%) and risky behaviors regarding leptospirosis were reported at a moderate level (74.0%). The study found no correlation between perceptions and risky behaviors regarding leptospirosis (r 0.186, p-value 0.059). Conclusion: This study suggest that people in these areas have good knowledge about leptospirosis. However, some people have risky behavior associated with leptospirosis. Thus, a behavioral change campaign should be promoted to encourage people awareness of the dangers of such behavior.

Benefícios afetivossociais da prática da dança para estudantes dos núcleos de arte da Prefeitura do Rio de Janeiro

O propósito desta pesquisa foi investigar o papel atribuído à Dança, no âmbito da dimensão afetivossocial compreendendo como se reflete na vida (pessoal e social) dos jovens estudantes dos oito Centros de Pesquisa e Formação em Ensino Escolar de Arte e Esporte – Núcleo de Arte da Prefeitura do Rio de Janeiro – distribuídos em distintas regiões do município do Rio de Janeiro. A base teórica do estudo foi fundamentada pela dimensão afetivossocial em autores de referência da área (Bertine, 2014; Damásio, 2012; 2013; Godoy, 2013; Leme, 2013; Macara 2010a, 2010b; Marques, 2010; 2014; Matos & Tomé, 2012; Monteiro, 2012; Shapiro, 2008; Stinson, 2014; Strongman, 2002; Sawaia, 2014; Varregoso et al., 2014). Com este desígnio, o trajeto metodológico percorrido para construção da tese decorreu em duas fases. A primeira de natureza exploratória, marcada por dois Estudos Preliminares. A segunda de natureza pluri-metodológicos: Pesquisa de Método Misto, com a combinação entre a abordagem quantitativa e qualitativa, marcada por um estudo de campo. Participaram do estudo quantitativo 378 praticantes de Dança de 12 a 18 anos de idade e do estudo qualitativo 52 integrantes do espaço (diretores, professores, coordenador e praticantes e ex-praticantes). O método de análise adotado foi estatístico descritivo e correlação de Pearson pelo SPSS22 e, análise de conteúdo. Todos os dados analisados foram integrados nas duas dimensões do estudo, Dimensão Representação Afetivossocial e Dimensão Transformação Pessoal e Social. Como resultado, verificamos que os jovens sentem-se motivados e incluídos pelo trabalho realizado nas oficinas de Dança nos núcleos, percebem que a Dança é fonte de empoderamento da dimensão afetivossocial pelo despertar da motivação, do bem-estar e da autorealização. No campo afetivo, descrevem o desenvolvimento das competências emocionais pelas sensações, emoções e sentimentos gerados no corpo e nas experiências relacionais na Dança, despertando o conactus (Damásio, 2012; Leme, 2013) e a potência de ação (Sawaia, 2014), capazes de transformar estados emocionais, situações e coisas em benefício próprio. O desenvolvimento das competências sociais transcorreu pela mudança comportamental em casa, pela tríade interação-participação-transformação social no núcleo, família, escola e comunidade despertando sentimentos na construção da dimensão afetivossocial e promovendo liberdade de ser e estar no mundo. Com o desenvolvimento destas competências, estes jovens percebem-se incluídos na sociedade despertando para muitos o desejo de prosseguimento na carreira (Amadora ou Profissional).

Gamification in Skills Management

Employees are the human capital which, to a great extent, contributes to the success and development of high-performance and sustainable organizations. In a work environment, there is a need to provide a tool for tracking and following-up on each employees' professional progress, while staying aligned with the organization’s strategic and operational goals and objectives. The research work within this Thesis aims to contribute to improve employees' selfawareness and auto-regulation; two predominant research areas are also studied and analyzed: Visual Analytics and Gamification. The Visual Analytics enables the specification of personalized dashboard interfaces with alerts and indicators to keep employees aware of their skills and to continuously monitor how to improve their expertise, promoting simultaneously behavioral change and adoption of good-practices. The study of Gamification techniques with Talent Management features enabled the design of new processes to engage, motivate, and retain highly productive employees, and to foster a competitive working environment, where employees are encouraged to be involved in new and rewarding activities, where knowledge and experience are recognized as a relevant asset. The Design Science Research was selected as the research methodology; the creation of new knowledge is therefore based on an iterative cycle addressing concepts such as design, analysis, reflection, and abstraction. By collaborating in an international project (Active@Work), funded by the Active and Assisted Living Programme, the results followed a design thinking approach regarding the specification of the structure and behavior of the Skills Development Module, namely the identification of requirements and the design of an innovative info-structure of metadata to support the user experience. A set of mockups were designed based on the user role and main concerns. Such approach enabled the conceptualization of a solution to proactively assist the management and assessment of skills in a personalized and dynamic way. The outcomes of this Thesis aims to demonstrate the existing articulation between emerging research areas such as Visual Analytics and Gamification, expecting to represent conceptual gains in these two research fields.

Relatório de estágio qualidade de vida dos idosos

A Organização Mundial de Saúde (OMS) prevê que em 2050, 32% da população mundial será composta por idosos, por conseguinte, a promoção do envelhecimento saudável constitui uma prioridade em matéria de Saúde Pública. O presente relatório tem como finalidade registar de forma clara e objectiva as actividades realizadas, observadas e proporcionadas pela practica clínica referente ao estágio realizado na comunidade no âmbito do 1º curso de mestrado em Enfermagem com especialização em saúde comunitária da Escola Superior de Saúde de Portalegre. Pretendo ainda através deste relatório, reflectir sobre o contributo do mesmo para o meu desenvolvimento pessoal e profissional como futura enfermeira especialista em saúde comunitária. A metodologia seguida neste relatório assim como no estágio realizado foi a metodologia do planeamento em Saúde. O estágio realizado teve como objectivo promover o Envelhecimento Saudável dos idosos pertencentes a três extensões de saúde da Unidade Local de Saúde (ULS) de Castelo Branco e adquirir competências específicas do enfermeiro especialista em Enfermagem comunitária e de Saúde Pública definidas pela Ordem dos Enfermeiros. Após a elaboração do diagnóstico de saúde efectuado a 255 idosos, através do instrumento de colheita de dados: questionário composto por caracterização sócio-demográfica, escalas de avaliação da Qualidade de Vida (QV): WHOQOL-OLD e WHOQOL- BREF da OMS e Índice de Barthel, conclui-se que, de um modo geral, os idosos percepcionam a sua saúde e QV de forma satisfatória. Foram referidos como factores determinantes para melhorar a sua QV: a “saúde”, “ter paz” e “ter dinheiro”. Foram detectados como principais necessidades e problemas dos idosos a falta de actividade física, consumo de álcool e tabaco, segurança do idoso e sentimentos negativos ou isolamento do idoso. Foram realizadas actividades de forma a fomentar mudanças de comportamento efectivas relativamente á aquisição de hábitos de vida saudáveis, tendo como referencial teórico Nola Pender e o seu modelo de promoção da saúde. É necessário que estas intervenções tenham continuidade para que haja mudanças de comportamento efectivas relativamente a adopção de hábitos de vida saudáveis pelos idosos

Relatório de estágio

A Organização Mundial de Saúde (OMS) prevê que em 2050, 32% da população mundial será composta por idosos, por conseguinte, a promoção do envelhecimento saudável constitui uma prioridade em matéria de Saúde Pública. O presente relatório tem como finalidade registar de forma clara e objectiva as actividades realizadas, observadas e proporcionadas pela practica clínica referente ao estágio realizado na comunidade no âmbito do 1º curso de mestrado em Enfermagem com especialização em saúde comunitária da Escola Superior de Saúde de Portalegre. Pretendo ainda através deste relatório, reflectir sobre o contributo do mesmo para o meu desenvolvimento pessoal e profissional como futura enfermeira especialista em saúde comunitária. A metodologia seguida neste relatório assim como no estágio realizado foi a metodologia do planeamento em Saúde. O estágio realizado teve como objectivo promover o Envelhecimento Saudável dos idosos pertencentes a três extensões de saúde da Unidade Local de Saúde (ULS) de Castelo Branco e adquirir competências específicas do enfermeiro especialista em Enfermagem comunitária e de Saúde Pública definidas pela Ordem dos Enfermeiros. Após a elaboração do diagnóstico de saúde efectuado a 255 idosos, através do instrumento de colheita de dados: questionário composto por caracterização sócio-demográfica, escalas de avaliação da Qualidade de Vida (QV): WHOQOL-OLD e WHOQOL- BREF da OMS e Índice de Barthel, conclui-se que, de um modo geral, os idosos percepcionam a sua saúde e QV de forma satisfatória. Foram referidos como factores determinantes para melhorar a sua QV: a “saúde”, “ter paz” e “ter dinheiro”. Foram detectados como principais necessidades e problemas dos idosos a falta de actividade física, consumo de álcool e tabaco, segurança do idoso e sentimentos negativos ou isolamento do idoso. Foram realizadas actividades de forma a fomentar mudanças de comportamento efectivas relativamente á aquisição de hábitos de vida saudáveis, tendo como referencial teórico Nola Pender e o seu modelo de promoção da saúde. É necessário que estas intervenções tenham continuidade para que haja mudanças de comportamento efectivas relativamente a adopção de hábitos de vida saudáveis pelos idosos.

Changes in skin protection behaviors, attitudes, and sunburn: In a population with the highest incidence of skin cancer in the world

This study describes changes in skin protection attitudes and outdoor behaviors of adults in Queensland, Australia, using two cross-sectional telephone surveys conducted in 1988/89 (N = 1699) and 1991/92 (N = 2317). After adjustment for potential confounders, there were significant improvements in some skin protection attitudes, time spent outside, hat wearing, sunscreen use, overall skin protection (p < 0.01) and shade use (p < 0.05) between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM on the previous Sunday. The degree of attitudinal and behavioral change varied with age, gender, region, and reported skin type. However, recent sunburn experience remained unchanged. A similar study in Victoria, Australia, observed changes in skin protection attitudes, behaviors, and recent sunburn. We speculate on possible explanations for the lack of improvement in recent sunburn experience despite the improvement in skin protection attitudes, and behaviors, and suggest that part of the explanation may be environmental differences. This has implications for generalizability of such studies outside the geographical region in which they were conducted. Article in Cancer Detection and Prevention 20(6):566-75 · January 1996

O impacto dos acontecimentos significativos no processo terapêutico: Um estudo de caso de sucesso

Este estudo teve como objetivo descrever os impactos associados aos acontecimentos significativos, identificados pelo cliente e terapeuta, ao longo de um caso de sucesso clínico. Utilizámos a metodologia de estudo de caso, com um cliente adulto, diagnosticado com perturbação de pânico e acompanhado em terapia comportamental e cognitiva. A versão portuguesa do questionário Helpful Aspects of Therapy foi administrada em todas as sessões para a recolha dos acontecimentos significativos e respetivos impactos. Categorizámos o tipo de impacto percebido a partir de uma grelha de análise temática construída com base na literatura. Os resultados mostram diferenças nos impactos percebidos pela terapeuta e pelo cliente. Enquanto para a terapeuta esses impactos incidiram sobre as categorias de Orientação, Autocompreensão, Sensação de fortalecimento e Mudança de comportamento, para o cliente os impactos percebidos incidiram nas categorias de Autocompreensão e Sensação de fortalecimento. Estes resultados sugerem que ambas as perspetivas devem ser consideradas na compreensão do que é útil para a mudança do cliente e que o terapeuta deve atender à possibilidade de emergirem outros possíveis impactos no cliente, alinhando a sua intervenção no sentido de os potenciar e contribuir dessa forma para a mudança do cliente.