Effect of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and nutrition education on nutrition and health outcomes of HIV+ individuals

Factors associated with and barriers to participation in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the effect participation has on food security, nutrition status, disease status and quality of life was investigated in a cross-sectional study including 175 HIV infected individuals. In addition, the effect of a targeted nutrition education on nutrition knowledge, readiness to dietary behavior change, nutrition status, disease status and quality of life was also investigated among a subset of the population (N = 45) in a randomized clinical control trial. ^ SNAP participation rate was 70.3%, similar to the State of Florida and national participation rates. SNAP participation was positively and independently associated with being born in the US (P < 0.001), having monthly income less than $1000 (P = 0.006), and receiving antiretroviral treatment (P < 0.001). Participation barriers include denial of participation by program, recent incarceration, living in a shelter where participation is not allowed and unawareness of eligibility status. In regression analyses, SNAP participation was not significantly associated with improved food security, nutrition status, disease status and health related quality of life (HRQOL). Over half (56%) of the population experienced food insecurity and had inadequate intakes of half of the nutrients assessed. Illicit drug, alcohol and cigarette use were high in this population (31%, 55% and 63% respectively), and affected food security, nutrients intake, disease status and HRQOL. The nutrition education intervention resulted in a trend towards improvements nutrition knowledge, self-efficacy, and readiness to change without impacting nutrition status, disease state and quality of life. ^ Food insecurity and other nutrition related issues, with implications for treatment, management and cost of HIV disease, continue to plague infected individuals living in poverty. More resources, including food and nutrition programs, specifically targeted towards this population are needed to address these issues.^

Mapeando fundamentos do Constructo Neuromarketing com profissionais de empresa de publicidade

This study aims to acknowledge the domain level and influence of the neuromarketing construct. This is done considering professionals at advertising agencies in Brazil. The presence of concepts related to this new approach is very little divulged, and there are little analysis performed on this area. Thus, the research is of qualitative and exploratory nature and used as primary fonts books, articles related to marketing, neuroscience, and psychology as well as secondary fonts. A profound interview was realized aiming the main advertising agencies in Brazil. The public was composed by managers responsible for planning. A content analysis was performed afterwards. The advances related to the brain science have permitted the development of technological innovation. These go primarily towards knowledge and unconscious experiences of consumers, which are responsible for the impulse of decision making and consumer behavior. These issues are related to Neuromarketing, that in turn, uses techniques such as FMRI, PET and FDOT. These scan the consumer s brain and produces imagines on the neuron s structures and functioning. This is seen while activities such as mental tasks for the visualization of brands, images or products, watching videos and commercials are performed. It is observed that the agencies are constantly in search of new technologies and are aware of the limitations of the current research instruments. On the other hand, they are not totally familiar with concepts related to neuromarketing. In relation to the neuroimage techniques it is pointed out by the research that there is full unawareness, but some agencies seem to visualize positive impacts with the use of these techniques for the evaluation of films and in ways that permit to know the consumer better. It is also seen that neuroimage is perceived as a technique amongst others, but its application is not real, there are some barriers in the market and in the agencies itself. These barriers as well as some questioning allied to the scarce knowledge of neuromarketing, make it not possible to be put into practice in the advertising market. It is also observed that even though there is greater use of neuromarketing; there would not be any meaningful changes in functioning and structuring of these agencies. The use of the neuro-image machines should be done in research institutes and centers of big companies. Results show that the level of domain of the neuromarketing construct in the Brazilian advertising agencies is only a theoretical one. Little is known of this subject and the neurological studies and absolutely nothing of neuroimage techniques

Transportation of Children in Ground Ambulances: Professionals' Knowledge and Safety Measures

Background: The transport of children in ground ambulances is a rarely studied topic worldwide. The ambulance vehicle is a unique and complex environment with particular challenges for the safe, correct and effective transportation of patients. Unlike the well developed and readily available guidelines on the safe transportation of a child in motor vehicles, there is a lack on consistent specifications for transporting children in ambulances. Nurses are called daily to transfer children to hospitals or other care centers, so safe transport practices should be a major concern. Purpose: to know which are the safety precautions and specific measures used in the transport of children in ground ambulances by nurses and firefighters and to identify what knowledge these professionals had about safe modes of children transportation in ground ambulances. Methods: In this context, an exploratory - descriptive study and quantitative analysis was conducted. A questionnaire was completed by 135 nurses and firefighters / ambulance crew based on 4 possible children transport scenarios proposed by the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) and covered 5 different children´s age groups (new born children, 1 to 12 months; 1 to 3 years old; 4 to 7 years old and 8 to 12 years old). Results: The main results showed a variety of safety measures used by the professionals and a significant difference between their actual mode of transportation and the mode they consider to be the ideal considering security goals. In addition, findings showed that achieved scores related to what ambulance crews do in the considered scenarios reflect mostly satisfactory levels of transportation rather than optimum levels of safety, according to NHTSA recommendations. Variables as gender, educational qualifications, occupational group and local where professionals work seem to influence the transport options. Female professionals and nurses from pediatric units appear to do a safer transportation of children in ground ambulances than other professionals. Conclusion: Several professionals refereed unawareness of the safest transportation options for children in ambulances and did not to know the existence of specific recommendations for this type of transportation. The dispersion of the results suggests the need for investment in professional training and further regulation for this type of transportation.

Insight assessment in psychosis and psychopathological correlates: validation of the Spanish version of the Schedule for Assessment of Insight - Expanded Version

Background and Objectives: Lack of insight is a cardinal feature of psycho­sis. Insight has been found to be a multidimensional concept, including awareness of having a mental illness, ability to relabel psychotic phenomena as abnormal and compliance with treatment., which can be measured with the Schedule for Assessment of Insight (SAI-E). The aim of this study was to validate the Spanish version of SAI-E. Methods: The SAI-E was translated into Spanish and back-translated into English, which was deemed appropriate by the original scale author. Next, the Spanish version of the SAI-E was administered to 39 patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (DSM-IV criteria) from a North Peruvian psychiatric hospital. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale for Schizophrenia (PANSS) and the Scale of Unawareness of Mental Disorder (SUMD) were also administered. Specifically, internal consistency and convergent validity were assessed. Results: Internal consistency between the 11 items of the SAI-E was found to be good to excellent (α = 0.942). Compliance items did not contribute to internal consistency (A = 0.417, B = 572). Inter-rater reliability was excellent (ICC = 0.99). Regarding concurrent validity, the SAI-E total score correlated negatively with the lack of insight and judgement item of the PANNS (r = -0.91, p <0.01) and positively with the SUMD total score (r = 0.92, p <0.001). Conclusions: The Spanish version of the SAI-E scale was demonstrated to have both excellent reliability and external validity in our sample of South American Spanish-speaking patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders.

O equilíbrio entre o trabalho e a vida privada: A adequação das práticas organizacionais às necessidades dos trabalhadores

Dissertação de Mestrado apresentada ao ISPA - Instituto Universitário

Mapeando fundamentos do Constructo Neuromarketing com profissionais de empresa de publicidade

This study aims to acknowledge the domain level and influence of the neuromarketing construct. This is done considering professionals at advertising agencies in Brazil. The presence of concepts related to this new approach is very little divulged, and there are little analysis performed on this area. Thus, the research is of qualitative and exploratory nature and used as primary fonts books, articles related to marketing, neuroscience, and psychology as well as secondary fonts. A profound interview was realized aiming the main advertising agencies in Brazil. The public was composed by managers responsible for planning. A content analysis was performed afterwards. The advances related to the brain science have permitted the development of technological innovation. These go primarily towards knowledge and unconscious experiences of consumers, which are responsible for the impulse of decision making and consumer behavior. These issues are related to Neuromarketing, that in turn, uses techniques such as FMRI, PET and FDOT. These scan the consumer s brain and produces imagines on the neuron s structures and functioning. This is seen while activities such as mental tasks for the visualization of brands, images or products, watching videos and commercials are performed. It is observed that the agencies are constantly in search of new technologies and are aware of the limitations of the current research instruments. On the other hand, they are not totally familiar with concepts related to neuromarketing. In relation to the neuroimage techniques it is pointed out by the research that there is full unawareness, but some agencies seem to visualize positive impacts with the use of these techniques for the evaluation of films and in ways that permit to know the consumer better. It is also seen that neuroimage is perceived as a technique amongst others, but its application is not real, there are some barriers in the market and in the agencies itself. These barriers as well as some questioning allied to the scarce knowledge of neuromarketing, make it not possible to be put into practice in the advertising market. It is also observed that even though there is greater use of neuromarketing; there would not be any meaningful changes in functioning and structuring of these agencies. The use of the neuro-image machines should be done in research institutes and centers of big companies. Results show that the level of domain of the neuromarketing construct in the Brazilian advertising agencies is only a theoretical one. Little is known of this subject and the neurological studies and absolutely nothing of neuroimage techniques

Comportamiento sexual y reproductivo de los estudiantes de la carrera de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de Cuenca, en el año 2015, Cuenca

La salud sexual y reproductiva es fundamental en el desarrollo biológico, psicológico y social del ser humano, el desconocimiento y la falta de información ponen en riesgo el correcto desenvolvimiento del ser humano en la sociedad, limita sus aspiraciones y metas y favorece la desestructuración familiar. OBJETIVO: Identificar el comportamiento sexual y reproductivo de los estudiantes de la carrera de medicina de la Universidad de Cuenca, para proporcionar una realidad y analizar posibles soluciones respecto a los resultados obtenidos. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Es un estudio descriptivo en el año 2015. La muestra se obtuvo mediante aleatorización por conglomerados, constituido por hombres y mujeres. Para obtener la información se aplicó un cuestionario. La muestra estuvo conformada por 179 estudiantes, el nivel de confianza del 95% y un error estándar de 5%. Los datos fueron ingresados y analizados en el programa estadístico Epi Info 7. RESULTADOS: La población estudiantil con un 24,14% inició su vida sexual a los 18 años. El 48,6% refirió haber tenido relaciones sexuales. El 82,76% afirma haber utilizado un método anticonceptivo. CONCLUSIONES: Se evidencia que a pesar de disponer de recursos para acceder a servicios de salud, tener conocimientos sobre prevención de embarazo y que el uso de anticoncepción es frecuente, existen todavía estudiantes que necesitan capacitación en esta temática

Effect of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Nutrition Education on Nutrition and Health Outcomes of HIV+ Individuals

Factors associated with and barriers to participation in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the effect participation has on food security, nutrition status, disease status and quality of life was investigated in a cross-sectional study including 175 HIV infected individuals. In addition, the effect of a targeted nutrition education on nutrition knowledge, readiness to dietary behavior change, nutrition status, disease status and quality of life was also investigated among a subset of the population (N = 45) in a randomized clinical control trial. SNAP participation rate was 70.3%, similar to the State of Florida and national participation rates. SNAP participation was positively and independently associated with being born in the US (P < 0.001), having monthly income less than $1000 (P = 0.006), and receiving antiretroviral treatment (P < 0.001). Participation barriers include denial of participation by program, recent incarceration, living in a shelter where participation is not allowed and unawareness of eligibility status. In regression analyses, SNAP participation was not significantly associated with improved food security, nutrition status, disease status and health related quality of life (HRQOL). Over half (56%) of the population experienced food insecurity and had inadequate intakes of half of the nutrients assessed. Illicit drug, alcohol and cigarette use were high in this population (31%, 55% and 63% respectively), and affected food security, nutrients intake, disease status and HRQOL. The nutrition education intervention resulted in a trend towards improvements nutrition knowledge, self-efficacy, and readiness to change without impacting nutrition status, disease state and quality of life. Food insecurity and other nutrition related issues, with implications for treatment, management and cost of HIV disease, continue to plague infected individuals living in poverty. More resources, including food and nutrition programs, specifically targeted towards this population are needed to address these issues.

Communication skills–core of employability skills: Issues & concerns

Based on a case study conducted by the researcher on a sample of 618 UG students, this paper focuses on identifying certain flaws in the present educational communication. The researcher after presenting the data analysis of the survey, attempts to highlight the present ELT scenario and its relevance to the present day needs of the society. It also emphasizes on the need to focus on practical dimensions of learning. It substantiates that inadequate language proficiency, lack of presentation skills knowledge and unawareness about life skills are the main reasons for the educated unemployment. Finally, the researcher concludes this paper with some suggestions and recommendations which will help the learners to enhance their communication skills.

Recours aux services de soutien formel par les parents immigrants d’un enfant en situation de handicap

Les parents immigrants d’un enfant en situation de handicap présentent davantage de sources de vulnérabilité que d’autres parents. Cette situation peut diminuer le temps disponible et altérer leur implication dans le programme de réadaptation de leur enfant. L’objectif de cette thèse doctorale est de déterminer les attentes et les besoins en services de soutien formel de ces parents, afin de leur proposer une aide adaptée à leurs conditions de vie, et ceci, au fur et à mesure que l’enfant grandit. D’abord, une étude de la portée des écrits scientifiques est menée dans le but de mieux cerner les connaissances existantes en lien avec le recours aux services de soutien par les parents immigrants (chapitre 1). Les vingt publications sélectionnées indiquent que l’aide pour trouver de l’information s’avère la plus requise, que ce soit au sujet de la condition de l’enfant, du fonctionnement sociosanitaire et éducatif du pays d’accueil, ou encore des services de soutien. En outre, la transmission de ces informations peut se compliquer en cas de non-maîtrise de la langue du pays d’accueil ou lorsque des interculturelles apparaissent entre les parents immigrants et les différents intervenants rencontrés. Quant au non-recours aux aides formelles, il semble principalement dû à l’inadéquation entre l’aide concrète et les attentes des parents, au soutien informel reçu, à la méconnaissance des opportunités d’obtenir des services d’aide destinés aux parents, ou encore à un épuisement non ressenti. Compte tenu du nombre restreint d’écrits scientifiques recensés, des entrevues semi-dirigées sont conduites auprès de 28 parents immigrants d’un enfant en situation de handicap dans la province du Québec (Canada) dans le cadre d’une recherche de plus grande envergure portant sur la communication avec les intervenants en petite enfance (chapitre 2). Le but de cette deuxième étude est de mieux saisir l’utilisation des services de soutien formel par les parents immigrants et les facteurs influençant leurs choix. Il faut préciser que les propos recueillis restent très centrés sur les services destinés à l’enfant. Le soutien pour recevoir des informations et l’accompagnement à la décision apparaissent comme les aides formelles les plus utilisées par les participants, suivies du soutien à l’éducation, de l’écoute active et de l’aide financière. Cinq facteurs semblent guider le recours au soutien formel qui est destiné aux parents, soit : (1) leur perception de la condition de leur enfant, (2) l’accès à l’information, (3) leurs stratégies et leur capacité d’agir, (4) l’implication du réseau informel, et (5) leur perception de leur besoin de services de soutien. Suite à ces résultats, de nouvelles entrevues semi-dirigées sont menées auprès de huit parents immigrants d’enfants d’âges différents à Montréal et à Québec. Cette démarche permet d’approfondir le thème du recours au soutien formel destiné aux parents, et ce, au fur et à mesure que l’enfant grandit (chapitre 3). Le guide d’entretien conçu pour cette étude met l’emphase sur les attentes et les besoins des parents immigrants afin d’atteindre un équilibre dans toutes les sphères de leur vie. Suite à une analyse thématique exploratoire du discours des parents et par l’application d’un modèle de stress et de coping, sept principales sources de stress sont mises en évidence : (1) le parcours migratoire, (2) la condition de l’enfant, (3) l’organisation sociosanitaire du pays d’accueil, (4) l’insertion professionnelle, (5) la relation de couple, (6) le réseau social, et (7) l’état de santé du parent. Afin de faire face à ces circonstances difficiles, les parents immigrants recourent principalement à de l’aide financière, du soutien pour obtenir des informations, de l’accompagnement à la décision, de l’aide en éducation et pour le transport. La satisfaction exprimée varie, notamment en raison des divergences entre les attentes et les services obtenus (soutien en éducation, écoute active, services de garde), ainsi qu’en termes de quantité d’aide reçue (soutien financier, informations, accompagnement à la décision). Un modèle théorique original est proposé afin d’illustrer le contexte parental en termes d’attentes, de besoins et de recours au soutien. Si certains moments de la vie de l’enfant peuvent entraîner un stress supplémentaire pour les parents (annonce du diagnostic, arrivée à l’école, transition à l’âge adulte), le parcours migratoire semble davantage expliquer le recours aux aides formelles.

Transportation of Children in Ground Ambulances: Professionals' Knowledge and Safety Measures

Background: The transport of children in ground ambulances is a rarely studied topic worldwide. The ambulance vehicle is a unique and complex environment with particular challenges for the safe, correct and effective transportation of patients. Unlike the well developed and readily available guidelines on the safe transportation of a child in motor vehicles, there is a lack on consistent specifications for transporting children in ambulances. Nurses are called daily to transfer children to hospitals or other care centers, so safe transport practices should be a major concern. Purpose: to know which are the safety precautions and specific measures used in the transport of children in ground ambulances by nurses and firefighters and to identify what knowledge these professionals had about safe modes of children transportation in ground ambulances. Methods: In this context, an exploratory - descriptive study and quantitative analysis was conducted. A questionnaire was completed by 135 nurses and firefighters / ambulance crew based on 4 possible children transport scenarios proposed by the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) and covered 5 different children´s age groups (new born children, 1 to 12 months; 1 to 3 years old; 4 to 7 years old and 8 to 12 years old). Results: The main results showed a variety of safety measures used by the professionals and a significant difference between their actual mode of transportation and the mode they consider to be the ideal considering security goals. In addition, findings showed that achieved scores related to what ambulance crews do in the considered scenarios reflect mostly satisfactory levels of transportation rather than optimum levels of safety, according to NHTSA recommendations. Variables as gender, educational qualifications, occupational group and local where professionals work seem to influence the transport options. Female professionals and nurses from pediatric units appear to do a safer transportation of children in ground ambulances than other professionals. Conclusion: Several professionals refereed unawareness of the safest transportation options for children in ambulances and did not to know the existence of specific recommendations for this type of transportation. The dispersion of the results suggests the need for investment in professional training and further regulation for this type of transportation.