This investigation assessed the relationship between knowledge about and attitudes toward nuclear energy. The study's purpose was accomplished by attempting to manipulate knowledge about and attitude toward nuclear energy independently. Over two thousand high school students participated in the study. A Non-Equivalent Control Group quasi-experimental design was used involving random assignment by intact groups to treatments. A knowledge treatment was designed to increase student knowledge without affecting attitudes. An attitude treatment was designed to change attitudes without changing knowledge, and a control treatment was employed for comparison to the experimental treatments. Each treatment consisted of a videotape with a viewing guide and a homework assignment. The Nuclear Energy Assessment Battery was used as a pretest, post-test, and retention test. Males scored significantly higher in knowledge and positive attitudes, but no interaction between gender and treatment was found. The study concluded that (1) there is a correlation between nuclear knowledge and attitudes, (2) knowledge about nuclear energy can be changed without affecting attitude and attitude can be changed without affecting knowledge, and (3) students show differences and attitude based on gender.

AHMED A. & EL GUINDY S.R. (2011) Breastfeeding knowledge and attitudes among Egyptian baccalaureate students. International Nursing Review58, 372-378 Aim:- To assess the breastfeeding knowledge, attitudes and perceived adequacy of breastfeeding education among baccalaureate nursing students in Cairo, Egypt. Self-confidence to provide breastfeeding support for mothers was also investigated. Background:- Nurses play a crucial role in promoting breastfeeding. Studies in Western countries have found inadequate breastfeeding knowledge among undergraduate nursing students. No published literature about breastfeeding knowledge and attitudes among nursing students in Egypt was found. Method:- An exploratory descriptive study used a sample of 110 baccalaureate nursing students from Cairo, Egypt. St...

It is essential to understand the current practices used to foster inclusive education for students with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) as well as factors related to the implementation of classroom interventions. In the current study authors assess the experience, knowledge, attitudes and current practices of education professionals regarding ASD. Results suggest that special education teachers and school psychologists hold higher levels of experience, training, and knowledge as compared to general education teachers and administrators. Attitudes towards inclusive education for students with ASD were positive, in general, although attitudes were not a significant predictor of awareness or use of empirically supported interventions. Implications and future directions are discussed. (Contains 4 tables.)

A survey of 281 members (31 percent) of the Texas Pediatric Society was performed in 1981 to assess members' knowledge of, attitudes toward, and practices regarding mothers who work outside the home. Only 15 percent correctly answered two of three knowledge questions about maternal employment. Thirt...

Using concept maps, a Kellert-type (S. R. Kellert, 1985) inventory, and self-report behavioral items, this cross-age study assessed public knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors toward bottlenose dolphins. Results suggest that this important megafaunal species is poorly understood by the public at large, and that negative "utilitarian" attitudes and potentially harmful behaviors are widespread, except among well-educated college students who have benefited by direct instruction. Researchers are encouraged to undertake companion studies on other species.

This study investigates relationships among food safety knowledge, attitudes and hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) practices in restaurant employees in Taiwan. The authors administered a baseline questionnaire to 542 restaurant employees to assess their food safety knowledge, attitude and HACCP practices. A total of 421 valid questionnaires were returned and used in analysis. Mean scores for each survey item were calculated and used in a structural equation model (SEM) designed to assess interrelationships between the three. Participants scored an average 84.7% correct in food safety knowledge, with highest and lowest correct scores in, respectively, the food poisoning and good hygienic practices (GHP) constructs. The highest score in the attitude section was ''concern for foo...

This study sought to provide a first crucial step in the direction of developing an intervention program aimed at improving safe attitudes and skills among car drivers towards motorcycles. We intended to improve drivers' attitudes towards motorcyclists by exposing them to demands that motorcyclists face on the road. Car drivers were exposed to hazard perception clips taken from a motorcyclist's perspective, and interactive hazards in a motorcycle simulator. Car hazard perception clips and a car simulator were used as control conditions. A questionnaire assessed participant knowledge and attitudes towards motorcyclists before and after the intervention. After the intervention participants had more empathic- and fewer negative-attitudes, as well as safer attitudes towards motorcyclists. Self...

Purpose - An employee's willingness to share knowledge may be contingent on whether the organization equitably fulfills its reward obligations. This paper seeks to examine how managers and organizations can be vehicles for managing psychological contract perceptions favoring knowledge sharing among current employees, newcomers, and applicants. Design/methodology/approach - The authors propose an integrative model to discuss psychological contract issues within each stage of employment and HRM initiatives that can encourage knowledge-sharing behaviors. Findings - The implicit psychological contracts that often influence knowledge worker attitudes for sharing knowledge are easy to overlook and challenging to manage. Managers must properly assess the nature of psychological contracts maintain...

The ability to meet patient needs at the end of life is important. Boston University Residency Program in Medicine initiated a 1-week-long end-of-life curriculum that included a hospice care orientation, core articles, and home hospice visits. Evaluated was the impact of the rotation on participant knowledge and attitude. Knowledge was assessed by pretest and posttest questionnaires and compared with more senior resident controls, naïve to the curriculum. Attitudes toward issues relating to end-of-life care and subjective change in knowledge were assessed comparing subjects' retrospective preintervention and postintervention responses included in the postintervention questionnaire. Forty-five second-year participants completed both questionnaires. Participants demonstrated significant improvements in attitude and self-assessed knowledge of end-of-life care in 23 of 24 Likert-type scale questions. The end-of-life curriculum led to significant improvements in participant knowledge and attitudes about the conceptual and practical aspects of end-of-life care. The structure of the rotation should be reproducible in many locales. PMID:17210997

The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of a cognitive-affective intervention the attitudes, knowledge, and anticipated professional behaviors regarding homosexuality and gay and lesbian issues of pre-service teachers in the United States. Sixty-seven participants were randomly assigned either to a control group (n=34) or an experimental group (n=33). Pre-test and post-test means were compared using paired-samples t-tests to determine the impact of the intervention. Data analysis revealed significant positive changes in the pre-service teachers' attitudes and knowledge about homosexuality, as well as their anticipated professional behaviors with respect to homosexual students and their families. (Contains 4 tables.)

We conducted a mail survey of practicing pediatricians in Georgia to assess their knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding recording patients' environmental histories. Of 477 eligible pediatricians, 266 (55.8%) responded. Fewer than one in five reported having received training in environmental...

A survey was undertaken between December 1991 and February 1992 to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices with respect to malaria of 300 women from six randomly selected rural communities in central Ethiopia. A total of 85% were able to recognize one or more of the common symptoms of the dis...

OBJECTIVES--To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of risk of occupational HIV transmission in hospital in relation to existing guidelines. DESIGN--Cross sectional anonymous questionnaire survey of all occupational groups. SETTING--One large inner city teaching hospital. SUBJECTS--All 1...

Background. We assessed community knowledge, attitudes, and practices on malaria as well as acceptability to indoor residual spraying. Material and Methods. A cross-sectional survey was done in a community in Geita district (northwest Tanzania). Household heads (n = 366) were interviewed Results. ...

use this technology and the knowledge gained from its application will determine the nature of .... First, with the heightened popularity of vasectomy as a means of birth control, many men .... Thus, one should be cautious in assessing the long- ...... More study is needed, therefore, of public attitudes and values. (which in turn ...

This paper aims at assessing the evolutionist and creationist conceptions of Brazilian teachers. The work was developed within the framework of the European project BIOHEAD-CITIZEN, which takes into account that scientific knowledge and teachers’ attitudes and values can influence the teaching pract...

Residency training in physical medicine and rehabilitation may not contain a formal curriculum in geriatric patient care. A multidimensional geriatric curriculum to third and fourth year physical medicine and rehabilitation residents was implemented to enhance their knowledge in and attitude toward geriatrics. The curriculum consisted of a 12-wk clinical rotation at various sites of geriatric care including outpatient geriatric clinic, skilled nursing facility, continuing care retirement community, and home visits. Six online self-learning modules and multiple didactic sessions were also created. The residents' knowledge and attitude were assessed by pretest and posttest design using the Geriatric Knowledge Test, the Geriatric Attitude Scale, and the Attitudes Toward Teamwork in Healthcare Scale. In addition, the residents completed rotation evaluations to rate their learning experiences. Ten postgraduate year 3 and 4 physical medicine and rehabilitation residents participated in the geriatric curriculum, which included a required rotation. The Geriatric Knowledge Test score at baseline was 67.2%. With the completion of the curriculum, the Geriatric Knowledge Test scores showed improvement to 72.7%, although not statistically significant. The residents showed more favorable attitudes toward the geriatric population and interdisciplinary teamwork as measured by the Geriatric Attitude Scale and the Attitudes Toward Teamwork in Healthcare Scale. Overall, they rated the learning experiences highly on a 1-9 rating scale, with 9 being the highest rating; the residents assigned an average rating of 7.06 to specific learning activities within the rotation and an average rating of 6.89 to the organizational aspects of the rotation itself. The implementation of this geriatric curriculum allowed for improved geriatric training in physical medicine and rehabilitation residents. PMID:22854907

...Agency for Healthcare Research and...the Agency for Healthcare Research and...the Office of Management and Budget...knowledge, attitudes, and barriers...knowledge and attitudes about workflow...Project Management and $96,449...performance of AHRQ healthcare research...

Summary- Attitudes of healthcare professionals to the importance of hydration for health, wellness and performance were evaluated in six European countries. These included general medical practitioners (n-=-600), nurses (n-=-300), pharmacists (n-=-550), nutritionists (n-=-265) and dietitians (n-=-265), spread across France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain and the UK, who completed computer-aided web or telephone interviews. The interviews assessed attitudes to the importance of hydration, how commonly they assess the hydration status of patients, and knowledge about recommended water intakes, sources of water for consumption and contribution from different beverages. All responders considered hydration an important issue and there was little difference in opinion between different healthcare...

Purpose Nutrition is an important component of any physical fitness program. The main dietary goal for active individuals is to obtain adequate nutrition to optimize health fitness and to increase sports performance. The present study aims to assess the nutrition knowledge, attitude and practice among the selected athletes. Methods Athletes from five different private colleges situated in Salem District, Tamilnadu, India were selected. A total number of 102 athletes, 32 sportsmen belong to Volleyball discipline, 25 belongs to weightlifter discipline and 45 belong to runners discipline in sports. All the selected athletes were including in the study. The Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) questionnaire contained ten questions about nutrition knowledge, nine questions about attitudes, and ten questions about dietary practice were collected from the selected athletes. Dietary composition of the sportsmen is also assessed. The collected data was coded and used for evaluation. Results Results about KAP revealed that 42 per cent of the volleyball players had good nutritional knowledge (60–69per cent) compared to weight lifters (43per cent) who had satisfactory (50–59per cent) knowledge about nutrition. Twenty nine per cent of the runners had very good (70–79per cent) knowledge about nutrition. Regarding food consumption pattern intake of cereals, other vegetables and milk was found to be less compared to the RDA for the athletes. Among the three disciplines sports persons, the mean nutrient intake of the runners is high compared to volleyball and weight lifters. Conclusion The sports disciplines strongly affected the nutrition knowledge, attitudes and practices of sportsmen. The overall scores indicate that most sportsmen had good knowledge of nutrition and supplements. PMID:16731270

BACKGROUND: School programs can be effective in modifying knowledge, attitudes, and habits relevant to long-term risk of chronic diseases associated with sedentary lifestyles. As part of a long-term research strategy, we conducted an educational intervention in preschool facilities to assess changes in preschoolers' knowledge, attitudes, and habits toward healthy eating and living an active lifestyle. METHODS: Using a cluster design, we randomly assigned 14 preschool facilities in Bogotá, Colombia to a 5-month educational and playful intervention (7 preschool facilities ) or to usual curriculum (7 preschool facilities ). A total of 1216 children aged 3-5 years, 928 parents, and 120 teachers participated. A structured survey was used at baseline, at the end of the study, and 12 months later to evaluate changes in knowledge, attitudes, and habits. RESULTS: Children in the intervention group showed a 10.9% increase in weighted score, compared with 5.3% in controls. The absolute adjusted difference was 3.90 units (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.64-6.16; P preschool-based intervention aimed at improving knowledge, attitudes, and habits related to healthy diet and active lifestyle is feasible, efficacious, and sustainable in very young children. PMID:23062403

Data from a 10 percent sample of fifth-twelfth grade students indicate that in four predominantly rural counties of Kentucky, children are exposed to smoking before fifth grade and to drinking by seventh grade. The Health Education/Risk Reduction Grant Program was implemented over a 3-year period in the four county school systems in an attempt to intervene in the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of the program participants. Each program (smoking and alcohol) consisted of 6 hours of instruction over a 3-week period, twice per week, or over a 6-week period, once per week. The smoking program was presented to 1,400 fifth and sixth graders, while the alcohol program was presented to 1,350 seventh and eighth graders. To evaluate the programs' instruction, objectives, and evaluation instruments, pre- and post- questionnaires, assessing the students' knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors, were completed by the participants. An analysis of questionnaire responses showed that for the alcohol program, seven of the nine program objectives were met, with students demonstrating a statistically significant change in knowledge on 17 of 18 items, in attitude on 11 of 18 items, and in behavior on 4 of 11 items. For the smoking program, 11 of 12 program objectives were met, with students demonstrating a statistically significant change in knowledge on 20 of 31 items, and in attitude and behavior on 20 of 30 items. (The statement of program objectives, the evaluation questionnaire, and questionnaire data are included in the report). (BL)

Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of caregivers in Kuwait in relation to the oral health of preschool children. Subjects and Methods: Questionnaires with multiple-choice questions were distributed to 334 caregivers of children under the age of 6 years attending vaccination centers in Kuwait. For each question, one of the multiple-choice answers was consistent with the consensus in the pediatric dental literature in relation to early childhood caries prevention, and was considered to be correct. The ?(2) test, independent t test, ANOVA, and stepwise linear regression were used to assess the associations between the variables in question and p ? 0.05 was accepted as statistically significant. Results: Of the 334 participants, 234 (70%) were between 20 and 40 years of age with a high school diploma or higher degree and had between 2 and 5 children. The mean knowledge score was 4.68 ± 1.87, the mean attitude score was 4.34 ± 0.88 and the mean practice score was 2.45 ± 0.99. Major weaknesses were reported in infant oral health-related concepts. Mothers had better knowledge than other caregivers (p < 0.001). Higher education was significantly associated with better knowledge (p = 0.003) and better practices (p = 0.017). In addition, knowledge, attitude and level of education were positively and significantly associated with practices (p < 0.005). Conclusions: Our study showed that caregivers had weak knowledge and practice in relation to the oral health of preschool children. Mothers and caregivers with higher education had better knowledge and practices. Education and attitude appeared to be favorable indicators of the caregivers' practices with regard to the oral health of their preschool children. PMID:22986905

This research seeks to reflect the diversity of the forms of attitude towards learning among gifted adolescents. We met, in their class environment, 255 academically gifted junior high school students (48 girls and 207 boys) aged 9 to 15 years (average: 12.5), enrolled in the French 6th to 3rd levels (British equivalents: Year 7 to Year 10 / USA: 6th to 9th grade). From a corpus consisting of 195 ''assessments of knowledge'' (Charlot et al., [1992] [17]), we conducted a lexicometric analysis using the Alceste software (Reinert [1990] [29]). The results lead to the highlighting of a typology of procedures and attitudes with regard to knowledge and learning, reflecting the heterogeneity of the relation to knowledge and learning among young gifted students. Such results support the stance of ...

Many studies have shown that driver attitude and behaviour are important determinants of the likelihood of collision involvement. Knowledge of the Rules of the Road and the perception of hazards are also associated with collision involvement. The aim of this paper is to review the practical application of an online fleet driver assessment program to help identify, target and reduce occupational road safety risks. A large and unique data set collected from online assessment of drivers employed in a UK telecommunications organisation is analyzed. Data was also collected on driver demographics and their driving and collision history. Analysis of the data revealed that attitude, behaviour, knowledge and hazard perception are highly correlated with self-reported collisions. The influence of the...

Our purpose was to determine pediatric endocrinologists' knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and practices (KABPs) regarding recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) treatment, examine care-related attitude consensus or discordance, and identify evidence-based practice gaps. We developed a survey for Nati...

...review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB...submitted to the Office of Management and Budget for review...Survey of Organ Donation Attitudes and Practices (OMB...Transplantation (DoT), Healthcare Systems Bureau, Health...public knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors...

BackgroundFirefighters (FFs) and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel provide care in uncontrolled settings, where the risk of hand contamination is great and opportunities for handwashing are few. Knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about hand hygiene in this group have not been well reported. MethodsWritten surveys were administered to FFs and EMS personnel to assess their practices, attitudes, and beliefs before and after installation of alcohol hand gel dispensers, hanging of reminder posters, and completion of PowerPoint training. ResultsA majority of the participants (n = 131; 58.5%) indicated they had not received any training on hand hygiene from the fire department before the intervention. Responses to Likert scale questions about attitudes, practices, and beliefs regarding ha...

BACKGROUND: Nigeria has the third highest population of people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Despite this, the knowledge of HIV/AIDS and uptake of voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) is still low, especially in the rural areas. This study assessed knowledge of HIV/AIDS and attitude towards VCT among adults in a rural community in northern Nigeria. METHODS: A pretested questionnaire was administered on a cross-section of 210 adults in Danbare village, northern Nigeria. Information about knowledge of HIV/AIDS and attitudes toward VCT was elicited among respondents. RESULTS: The majority of respondents (59%) did not know the causative agent of AIDS; however, knowledge of route of disease transmission was high, with 71% and 64% of study participants mentioning sexual activity and unscreened blood transfusion, respectively, as possible transmission routes. Respondents listed avoidance of premarital sex, outlawing prostitution, condom use and screening of blood before transfusion as protective measures. Overall, 58 (27.6%), 80 (38.1%) and 72 (34.3%) of the respondents had good, fair and poor knowledge of HIV/AIDS, respectively. After adjusting for confounders, female gender and formal education remained significant predictors of HIV/AIDS knowledge. Reasons for rejection of VCT included fear of stigma, marital disharmony, incurable nature of the disease and cost of treatment. Formal education, female gender and HIV knowledge significantly predicted positive attitude toward VCT for HIV/AIDS among the study population. CONCLUSION: More than half of the respondents had adequate knowledge of HIV/AIDS, and the majority were willing to have VCT. However, misconceptions, fear, gaps in knowledge and limited access to VCT remain prevalent. Our findings suggest the need to provide health education and scale up VCT services in northern Nigeria by targeting the efforts of international and local development partners to underserved rural areas.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of a multi-tiered oral health education programme on care staff caring for people with intellectual disability (ID). METHODS: Postal questionnaires were sent to all care staff of a community-based residential care service for adults, randomly assigned to control and intervention groups. A specifically developed training programme was delivered to residential staff nominees, who then trained all staff within the intervention group. The control group received no training. Post-test questionnaires were sent to both groups. Paired-samples t-test was used to compare oral health-related knowledge (K) and behaviour, attitude and self-efficacy (BAS) scores. RESULTS: Of the initial 219 respondents, 154 (response rate between 40% and 35.8%, with attrition rate of 29.7% from baseline to repeat) returned completed questionnaires at post-test (M = 8.5 months, range = 6.5-11 months). Control and intervention groups were comparable for general training, employment and demographic variables. In the intervention group, mean Knowledge Index score rose from K = 7.2 to K = 7.9 (P post-test (K = 7.2, BAS = 4.9) for the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Mean scores regarding knowledge, attitude, self-efficacy and reported behaviour increased significantly at 8.5 months in staff where training was provided. The results indicate that a multi-tiered training programme improved knowledge, attitude, self-efficacy and reported behaviour amongst staff caring for people with ID. PMID:23039926

As part of the IEA study of civic education, US ninth graders were assessed for their civic knowledge, concepts, attitudes, and experiences. The study yielded information about the development of democratic attitudes and dispositions toward social action. US ninth graders rated free expression and free elections as most important for democracy. They were less sure about the importance of peaceful protests. US ninth graders were above the international average in their support of rights for both women and immigrants. However, not all groups of students were willing to extend rights to "the other." Additionally, students were most likely to have experienced social actions to help the community; far fewer were likely to engage in more politically oriented actions. Socio-economic variables and race/ethnicity were related to civic knowledge.

Summary Background: The aim of this study was to assess the level of knowledge, attitudes, and utilization of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) of primary health care (PHC) physicians in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Material and Methods: A crosssectional study including all physicians working at PHC centers in the Riyadh region, Saudi Arabia, was carried out from the beginning of April 2010 to the end of June 2010. Using a self-administered questionnaire, 1,113 physicians answered questions regarding their socio-demographic data, and knowledge, attitudes and utilization of CAM. Results: About 8% of the participants had attended a continuous medical education or a training activity. Most of them were unfamiliar with reflexology, energy healing, aromatherapy, ozone therapy, homeopathy, o...

ABSTRACT Purpose: To conduct a baseline assessment of nurses' perceptions of knowledge, attitude, and skill level related to evidence-based practice (EBP) and research utilisation; determine the level of organisational readiness for implementing EBP and research; and examine the effectiveness of a computer-based educational program on nurses' perceptions of knowledge, attitude, and skill level related to EBP and research utilisation. Design: A descriptive, quasi-experimental design with a one-group, pre-intervention survey, intervention, and post-intervention survey method was used. A convenience sample of 744 nurses working in an integrated health care system was recruited. The study was conducted from May 2006 through November 2006. Methods: Data collection instruments were a demographic...

Concerns about public understanding of biotechnology have motivated educational initiatives to improve students' competency to make scientifically sustained decisions regarding controversial issues. Understanding students' perceptions about biotechnology is essential to determine the effectiveness of these programmes. To assess how students' perceptions are modulated, this study evaluates education and gender effects on knowledge, attitudes, interest, and importance given to biotechnology. Following a quantitative assessment approach, a questionnaire was administered to 698 high-school students engaged in three curricular formats: science students attending biology ("n" = 225); non-biology science students ("n" = 210); and non-science students ("n" = 263). The outcomes of this study suggest that education is more determining than gender in shaping students' perceptions and behavioural intentions, which are modulated by cognitive, affective and motivational elements. Students, particularly from non-science courses, revealed knowledge and interest limitations, but acknowledged the importance of biotechnology. Most students demonstrated positive attitudes towards different applications, except when animal manipulation was involved. Positive correlations between knowledge, attitudes, interest and importance attributed to biotechnology were identified. The implications of these findings are discussed. (Contains 3 figures.)

Teaching in the clinical setting is challenging; however, it is the location where students apply their learned facts and learn skills and attitudes most effectively. In order to improve clinical teaching, it is important to know and implement the principles of adult learning. The clinical teacher should know or assess the learners? prior knowledge and skills, as well as their stage of learning, before starting a new teaching session. The learners should be actively involved in the clinical processes. Questions to probe students? deeper understanding and capability to analyze, synthesize, and apply medical knowledge should be an important part of clinical teaching. Regular structured feedback is an important part of any learning experience.

CONTEXT: Despite advances related to the provision of emergency contraception in Canada, particularly the granting of independent prescriptive authority to pharmacists in 2000, little is known about the ways in which women perceive potential barriers to using it. METHODS: In 2004, an ethnically diverse sample of 52 women living in Greater Vancouver participated in interviews that were analyzed for an assessment of women's knowledge, attitudes and experiences related to emergency contraception, with particular attention to the ways in which ethnicity affected their stories. RESULTS: Participants generally misperceived emergency contraception as an abortifacient, and often mistakenly thought that it has long-term effects on health and fertility. Knowledge gaps regarding reproductive physiolo...

Introduction Conflict in the South Caucasus' Nagorno Karabagh region has damaged health facilities and disrupted the delivery of services and supplies as well as led to depletion of human and fixed capital and weakened the de facto government's ability to provide training for health care providers. Problem In response to documented medical training deficits, the American University of Armenia organized a first aid training course (FATC) for primary health care providers within the scope of the USAID-funded Humanitarian Assistance Project in Nagorno Karabagh. This paper reports the follow-up assessments conducted to inform policy makers regarding FATC knowledge and skill retention and the potential need for periodic refresher training. METHODS: Follow-up assessments were conducted six months and 18 months following the FATC to assess the retention of knowledge, attitudes, and self-reported practices. Eighty-four providers participated in the first follow-up and 210 in the second. The assessment tool contained items addressing the use and quality of the first aid skills, trainee's evaluation of the course, and randomly selected test questions to assess knowledge retention. RESULTS: At both follow-up points, the participants' assessment of the course was positive. More than 85% of the trainees self-assessed their skills as "excellent" or "good" and noted that skills were frequently practiced. Scores of approximately 58% on knowledge tests at both the first and second follow-ups indicated no knowledge decay between the first and second survey waves, but substantial decline from the immediate post-test assessment in the classroom. Conclusion The trainees assessed the FATC as effective, and the skills covered as important and well utilized. Knowledge retention was modest, but stable. Refresher courses are necessary to reverse the decay of technical knowledge and to ensure proper application in the field. Thompson ME , Harutyunyan TL , Dorian AH . A first aid training course for primary health care providers in Nagorno Karabagh: assessing knowledge retention. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2012;27(6):1-6. PMID:22995616

Many girls continue to achieve below their male counterparts and portray negative attitudes towards science classes. Some school districts are using single-gender education as a way to shrink the gender gap in school achievement and science related attitude. The purpose of this study was to compare achievement and science-related attitudes of 7th grade girls in single-gender education to 7th grade girls in mixed-gender education. The theoretical base for this study included knowledge from brain-based learning and assimilation, accommodation and age factors of Piaget's theory of cognitive development. The 12-week study included 48 7th grade girls, 21 in the single-gender classroom and 14 in each mixed-gender classroom. This quantitative randomized posttest only control group design utilized the TerraNova Science Assessment and the Test of Science Related Attitudes. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to determine if significant differences existed in the achievement and attitudes of girls in single and mixed-gender science classes. ANOVA analyses revealed that the girls in the single-gender classroom showed a significantly higher achievement level when compared to girls in the mixed-gender classrooms. Results showed no significant difference in attitude between the two groups. The results of this study contribute to social change by raising awareness about gender issues in science achievement and attitude, addressing a deficiency in the single-gender science education literature, and assisting educational systems in decision making to address achievement gaps while moving toward adequate yearly progress and meeting the requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.

From Knowledge Management Competencies to Improved Organizational .... to foster new attitudes, behaviors, processes, and organizational constructs. ... in partnership with KM, helps the organization focus on essential capabilities, key ...

There are two broad opposing classes of attitudes to reality (realist vs idealist, material vs mental) with corresponding attitudes to knowledge (objective vs subjective, scientific vs romantic). I argue that these attitudes can be compatible, and that quantum theory requires us to adopt both of them.

With the emergence of the Internet, e-learning has increasingly become the promising solution that continues to grow day after day. Considering students' perception toward e-learning is important in successful development of e-learning in higher education, since attitude of user towards application of information technology is one of the most effective factors. This paper examines perception of virtual students' attitudes towards e-learning in Iran. A descriptive-correlation survey approach was used in this study. Students (n = 110) filled in a web-based closed questions questionnaire. Reliability and validity of instrument were determined by investigating the attitudes of e-learning specialists in Tehran University and application of Cronbach's Alpha (a=0.88). Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data using SPSS Win13. Questionnaires received were analyzed, putting the students' perceptions in relation to gender, age, knowledge of computers and attitudes to advantages and disadvantages of e-learning. Results showed that students have positive perception to e-learning. Linear regression analysis indicated that 68% of variation in virtual students' perceptions of e-learning was determined by the four variables of: Students' assessment about competency of e-learning, access to Internet, computer and Internet usage and assessment of current higher education system's shortcomings. (Contains 5 tables.)

OBJECTIVES: Adequate knowledge and positive attitudes of health care professionals regarding deceased-donor organ transplants lead to higher donation consent rates. This study assessed the knowledge and attitudes of health care professionals toward this issue in the light of recent organ transplant legislation in Pakistan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Health care professionals in critical care areas of 2 hospitals in Karachi were selected (n=243) and asked to complete a questionnaire regarding their knowledge and attitudes toward deceased-donor organ transplants. RESULTS: In all, 58.8% of the participants were physicians and 41.2% were nurses; 91.4% correctly identified brain death; 51.5% expressed support for deceased-donor organ transplants; 56.8% had concerns of religious rulings against deceased organ donation; 67.5% felt that a government body could not run such a system fairly; 56.4% of the respondents would consider receiving a deceased-donor organ if needed, but only 35.3% would donate after their own death. Only 42.7% and 37% were willing to approach patients and families for consent for a deceased-donor organ transplant, respectively. Most of those unwilling felt that the patient could refuse, become upset and aggressive, and lose trust in the health care professionals. CONCLUSIONS: Before implementing a deceased-donor organ transplant system in hospitals, health care professionals should attend a training program regarding their concerns. This would increase motivation when approaching patients/patients' families for consent, thus increasing deceased-donor consent rates. PMID:23113624

Poor teamwork skills are contributors to poor performance and mishaps in high risk work settings, including the operating theatre. A questionnaire was used to assess the attitudes towards, and knowledge of, Irish surgeons (n = 72) towards the human factors that contribute to mishaps and poor teamwork in high risk environments. The responses were compared to those obtained from U.S. Naval aviators (n = 552 for the attitude questions, and n = 172 for the knowledge test). U.S. Naval aviators were found to be significantly more knowledgeable, and held attitudes that were significantly more positive towards effective teamworking than the surgeons. Moreover, 78.9% of Senior House Officers and Registrars stated that junior personnel were frequently afraid to speak-up (compared with 31.3% of Consultants). Only 7.3% of surgeons stated that an adequate pre-operative brief team brief was frequently conducted, and only 15% stated that an adequate post-operative team brief was frequently conducted. It is suggested that the human factors training currently provided to surgeons in Ireland is a positive first step. However, there is a need to stress the importance of assertiveness in juniors, listening in seniors, and more reinforcement of good teamworking behaviours in the operating theatre. PMID:22959161

The present study proposed an Environmental Literacy Components Model to explain how environmental attitudes, environmental responsibility, environmental concern, and environmental knowledge as well as outdoor activities related to each other. A total of 1,345 university students responded to an environmental literacy survey (Kaplowitz and Levine in "Environ Educ Res" 11:143-160, 2005). The structural equation model revealed that high levels of environmental knowledge stimulate a university student's concern, attitudes, and personal responsibility toward environmental protection. More specifically, environmental knowledge was reported to be a significant predictor of environmental concern, attitudes, and responsibility. Environmental knowledge had significant indirect relationships with environmental attitudes and responsibility. Moreover, while attitudes toward the environment were found to be a significant determinant of environmental responsibility, environmental concern held significant association with attitudes toward the environment and outdoor activities. Findings promise to give clues for finding an answer to the question "how education for sustainability can be improved in higher education curricula?"

Examines the effects of an instructional video on knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of high school students concerning Lyme disease. Results indicate a positive and sustained increase of students' knowledge as a result of the short intervention but show less positive results for the long-term effect on students' attitudes and behaviors. (Author/AEF)

Investigates the effect of anabolic steroid education on preadolescents' knowledge of and attitudes toward anabolic steroids with 35 male athletes. Information on psychological and physiological aspects of anabolic steroid use, weight training techniques, nutrition, social decision making, and self-esteem training were provided. Participants showed more knowledge of anabolic steroids and stronger attitudes against using them in the future. (MKA)

Performed meta-analysis upon eight California school-based risk reduction programs designed to deter fourth through eighth grade students from the use of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs. Found that information-focused interventions had more impact upon knowledge but less upon attitudes and behavior whereas alternative interventions had less impact upon knowledge but more upon attitudes and behavior. (Author/PVV)

This article proposes and tests a model of the causes and consequences of Americans' judgments of the national seriousness of global warming. The model proposes that seriousness judgments about global warming are a function of beliefs about the existence of global warming, attitudes toward it, the certainty with which these beliefs and attitudes are held, and beliefs about human responsibility for causing global warming and people's ability to remedy it. The model also proposes that beliefs about whether global warming is a problem are a function of relevant personal experiences (with the weather) and messages from informants (in this case, scientists), that attitudes toward global warming are a function of particular perceived consequences of global warming, and that certainty about these attitudes and beliefs is a function of knowledge and prior thought. Data from two representative sample surveys offer support for all of these propositions, document effects of national seriousness judgments on support for ameliorative efforts generally and specific ameliorative policies, and thereby point to psychological mechanisms that may be responsible for institutional and elite impact on the public's assessments of national problem importance and on public policy preferences.

Background Pain is one of the most frequent problems among patients diagnosed with cancer. Despite the availability of effective pharmacological treatments, this group of patients often receives less than optimal treatment. Research into nurses' pain management highlights certain factors, such as lack of knowledge and attitudes and inadequate procedures for systematic pain assessment, as common barriers to effective pain management. However, educational interventions targeting nurses' pain management have shown promise. As cancer-related pain is also known to have a negative effect on vital aspects of the patient's life, as well as being commonly associated with problems such as sleep, fatigue, depression and anxiety, further development of knowledge within this area is warranted. Methods/design A quasi-experimental study design will be used to investigate whether the implementation of guidelines for systematic daily pain assessments following a theory-based educational intervention will result in an improvement in knowledge and attitude among nurses. A further aim is to investigate whether the intervention that targets nurses' behaviour will improve hospital patients' perception of pain. Data regarding nurses' knowledge and attitudes to pain (primary outcome), patient perception regarding pain (secondary outcome), together with socio-demographic variables, will be collected at baseline and at four weeks and 12 weeks following the intervention. Discussion Nursing care is nowadays acknowledged as an increasingly complicated activity and "nursing complexity is such that it can be seen as the quintessential complex intervention." To be able to change and improve clinical practice thus requires multiple points of attack appropriate to meet complex challenges. Consequently, we expect the theory-based intervention used in our quasi-experimental study to improve care as well as quality of life for this group of patients and we also envisage that evidence-based guidelines targeting this patient group's pain will be implemented more widely. Trial Registration Number ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01313234 PMID:19634262

BACKGROUND: The female at-risk population represents a subgroup that is both a crucial determining factor in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) transmission and a gap in the existing literature in Iran. The objective of this study was to evaluate the level of sex workers’ knowledge towards to safe procedures of sexually transmitted infection and AIDS prevention as well as attitudes towards AIDS. METHODS: A sample of 256 female sex workers working in Tehran was obtained by a variety of methods. Appropriate questions for the assessment of knowledge and attitude were developed based on previous studies. RESULTS: The mean age of the subjects was 26.8 ± 6.1 years (ranging from 16 to 45). Methods of transmission were widely recognized, despite the exception that few realized oral (23.4%) and anal (44.9%) intercourse as methods of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission. Most subjects knew that AIDS currently has no cure (81.2%) and no vaccine (73.4%). Most also acknowledged that HIV is transmissible from people who do not know they are HIV positive (59.4%), proper condom use can reduce the possibility of infection (78.1%), and so can having a single sexual partner (68.8%). Of the participants, 43.4% knew that an HIV-positive person can seem perfectly healthy. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge towards sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and condom use is still inadequate, especially regarding risky behaviors such as anal sex, and attitudes are mainly negative. Identifying at-risk populations, HIV-positive sex workers, education and campaigns to change the attitudes towards AIDS should be regarded a high priority in Iran. PMID:11392935

Abstract Background:- Medical emergencies in dental practice are generally perceived as being rare. Nonetheless, recent studies have shown that incidents occur on a regular basis. Therefore, patients have the right to expect necessary skills to manage life-threatening situations from every dentist. Objective:- To observe students- attitude and self-assessment towards emergency medical care (EMC) and its practical appliance. Material and methods:- Students of dentistry took part in small group sessions for adult and paediatric basic life support. Participants filled out pre-post questionnaires regarding knowledge and attitude towards EMC (6, respectively, 10-point Likert scale). Additionally, feedback was asked for the quality of course and tutors. Results:- Forty dental students in their l...

Understanding user attitudes is key to the design, development, and production of online and printed computer documentation. User needs for documentation can be addressed best by classifying users according to the attitudes they bring to computing, rather than by their computing knowledge or skill level only. Attitudes are reflected in all types of computer users including scientists, engineers, programmers, administrative assistants, and managers. Attitudes are independent of computing skill level and frequency of use; they apply equally to new users, casual users, or expert users. Identified are three user attitudes at Los Alamos: no-time-to-learn attitude - users simply want to get the job done and have no time to learn about the topic; want-to-learn attitude - users want to learn everything about a topic; know-what-I-want attitude - users are already familiar with similar computing topics and know what information they need.

We assessed hospital infection control knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of healthcare workers (HCWs) during the Hajj season of the Islamic y 1423 (2003). A self-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. A total of 392 HCWs was studied, of whom 215 (54.8%) were nurses and 177 (45.2%) were doctors. 315 (80.4%) HCWs worked in hospitals, whereas 77 (19.6%) worked in primary healthcare centres. Of the 392 HCWs, 164 (41.8%) were from Makkah, and the remaining 228 (58.2%) were recruited from other regions in Saudi Arabia. A good proportion (81.8%) of HCWs correctly answered at least 5 of the 11 knowledge statements. However, obvious deficiency of knowledge appeared concerning other important hospital infection control measures. A smaller proportion (61.9%) of HCWs...

Introduction: Hospitalised patients in Internal Medicine departments are at risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Adherence to risk stratification methods is poor. We conducted a survey among Internists from member countries of the European Federation of Internal Medicine (EFIM) to assess current knowledge and attitude towards VTE prevention. Methods: A multinational survey of Internists affiliated to EFIM. Results: 226 physicians from 30 countries were included. Seventy nine percent of the physicians were aware of clinical guidelines to prevent VTE. Most considered their knowledge of the guidelines to be moderate. Many had not updated their knowledge recently. The magnitude of the clinical problem was over- and underestimated by many (12.2% and 40.1%, respectively). Only 46.7% thought the...

This study assessed HIV attitudes among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in the Namakkal district of Tamilnadu, India, as well as HIV knowledge before and after group counseling sessions. Two hundred thirteen women (97%) attending five antenatal clinics in July 2004 accepted HIV counseling and testing and completed precounseling and postcounseling questionnaires. Although the majority of women had heard of HIV, precounseling knowledge was low (mean precounseling score; 6.9/18, SD: 4.53), with scores correlating with the women's educational level and the number of sources from which they had received information about HIV. Posttest scores increased by 21%, however, understanding of modalities to prevent HIV infection remained poor. Group counseling sessions achieve small gains in HIV knowledge, but there is a continued need for ongoing and multifaceted HIV education in rural India. PMID:17563273

ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION: The epidemic of HIV in sub-Saharan Africa varies significantly across countries in the region with high prevalence in Southern Africa and Nigeria. Cancer is increasingly identified as a complication of HIV infection with higher incidence and mortality in this group than in the general population. Without cancer prevention strategies, improved cancer treatment alone would be an insufficient response to this increasing burden among people living with HIV (PLHIV). Although previous studies have noted low levels of awareness of cancers in sub-Saharan Africa none has examined the knowledge and perceptions of cancer among beneficiaries of a large PEPFAR program in Nigeria. METHODS: Focus group discussions (FGD) and Key Informant Interviews (KII) were carried out in 4 high volume tertiary care institutions that offer HIV care and treatment in Nigeria. FGD and KII assessed participants' knowledge of cancer, attitudes towards cancer risk and cancer screening practices. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 38 years. Most participants had heard about cancer and considered it a fatal disease but displayed poor knowledge of the causes and of AIDs associated cancers. PLHIV in Nigeria expressed attitudes of fear, denial and disbelief as to their perceived cancer risk. Some of the participants had heard about cancer screening but very few participants had been screened. CONCLUSION: Our findings of poor knowledge of cancer among PLHIV in Nigeria indicate the need for health care providers and the government to intervene by developing primary cancer prevention strategies for this population. PMID:23098099

Aim.- To assess the discriminative and construct validity of the Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria Attitude Questionnaire and to study registered nurses- knowledge of, behaviour toward and emotional responses to patients with multidrug-resistant bacteria in relation to how they understand their own, managers- and politicians- responsibility for adherence to preventive measures for infection control. Background.- Multidrug-resistant organisms are a global problem and an essential topic in healthcare regarding patient safety improvement. Design.- Descriptive and correlational cross-sectional survey. Method.- Data were collected in a non-random sample consisting of 397 registered nurses; district, haematology or infection registered nurses. One-way analysis of variance and independent t-tests were...

Study ObjectiveThe current study presents findings from a qualitative examination of free text comments from a national survey of U.S. physicians on human papillomavirus vaccine recommendation beliefs and practices. Qualitative analyses of free text physician responses may offer a more complete and physician-driven description of influences on human papillomavirus vaccine recommendation. Design and ParticipantsIn 2009, a survey assessing physicians knowledge, attitudes, and human papillomavirus vaccination practices was conducted among a national sample of U.S. physicians practicing Family Medicine, Pediatrics, or Obstetrics/Gynecology (response rate 67.8%). Qualitative comments were analyzed using a Grounded Theory approach. ResultsOf 1008 completed surveys, 112 participants provided comm...

Abstract in portuguese INTRODUÇÃO: Estudos têm mostrado que as atitudes influenciam o comportamento. O desenvolvimento e a manutenção de determinadas atitudes dos estudantes durante o curso médico podem influenciar a qualidade do cuidado médico dado aos pacientes no exercício da profissão. As Diretrizes Curriculares Nacionais do Curso de Graduação em Medicina reforçam a importância de aspectos atitudinais relevantes para a prática médica. OBJETIVO: Construção e validação de u (more) ma escala de atitude do tipo Likert, para avaliar atitudes de estudantes de Medicina considerando as Diretrizes Curriculares Nacionais, adaptadas à realidade sociocultural brasileira. MÉTODO: Na construção da escala foram considerados cinco aspectos: social, ambiência, crença, conhecimento e ética. Os sujeitos foram 202 estudantes do curso de graduação em Medicina, da primeira à oitava fase, sendo 52,85 % mulheres e 47,15% homens. Estudo de coorte, descritivo e quantitativo. Os dados foram coletados por meio da aplicação de um questionário e de uma escala de atitudes (do tipo Likert) com 102 proposições. A escala foi aplicada em dois momentos. RESULTADOS: A confiabilidade da escala, medida pelo coeficiente ?, de Cronbach, foi igual a 0,87. A escala foi validada (validade de construto) por cinco especialistas. Não houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre as oito fases analisadas. As atitudes observadas foram predominantemente positivas. CONCLUSÃO: O trabalho desenvolvido resultou na definição de um instrumento válido e confiável para medir as atitudes de estudantes de Medicina segundo as dimensões social, ambiência, crença, conhecimento e ética. Abstract in english INTRODUCTION: Studies have shown that attitudes influence behavior. Developing and maintaining certain attitudes can influence the quality of health care delivered by medical students to their patients. The Brazilian National Guidelines for Medical Education emphasize the significance of the students' attitudes relevant for the medical practice. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed designing and validating an attitude scale to evaluate the impact of the medical curriculum on stud (more) ents' attitudes. METHODOLOGY: The subjects were 202 students (female = 52.85%, male = 47.15%), attending from the first to the eighth phase of the medical undergraduate course. The data for this descriptive and quantitative cohort study were collected using a questionnaire and an attitude measurement scale (5-point Likert scale) containing 102 propositions covering five different factors (social, environmental, belief, knowledge and ethics). RESULTS: Several analyses were undertaken to establish the internal validity of the instrument, including reliability (total = 0.87 and 0.89) and correlation studies. There were no statistically significant differences among the eight analyzed phases. The students showed predominantly positive attitudes. CONCLUSIONS: The final version of the scale was therefore regarded valid and reliable for the assessment of medical students' attitudes.

Effective clinical faculty are essential for disseminating substance abuse screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT). The authors developed an 8-hour SBIRT training for internal medicine faculty preceptors. Trainers conducted SBIRT lectures and small-group communication practice sessions. The authors assessed participants' (n = 27) knowledge, skills, and attitudes using an enhanced Alcohol and Alcohol Problems Perceptions Questionnaire (AAPPQ). Participants self-assessed their changes in SBIRT competence and comfort. Faculty trainees did not feel competent in SBIRT, particularly in intervention and referral to treatment. AAPPQ subscale scores were highest in Role Legitimacy and Motivation and lowest in Role Adequacy and Satisfaction. After training, faculty members reported greater likelihood of performing and teaching SBIRT. In some topic areas, faculty attending an SBIRT training reported limited knowledge and competence for treating drinkers; however, their interest and motivation for doing so was high. Ongoing faculty and organizational development efforts may help close these gaps. (Contains 1 figure and 2 tables.)

Objective: To assess the sexual health knowledge of teachers who contribute to secondary school sexual health education in order to determine whether teachers are adequately prepared to implement present government education and public health policies. Design: Results were obtained from a questionnaire as part of a two-phase intervention study. Setting: Nineteen mixed-sex, state secondary schools in central England. Participants: One hundred and fifty-five teachers (94 female, 61 male) participated. Main outcome measures: The questionnaires were distributed to teachers to assess their knowledge of sexual health, contraception and sexually transmitted infections. In addition, teachers' attitudes on the subject of sex and relationships education were evaluated. Results: The results suggest that teachers have insufficient sexual health knowledge to effectively teach sexually transmitted infections or emergency contraception, although their general sexual health knowledge was good. Therefore, at present teachers do not have adequate specialist knowledge in sexual health to contribute to current recommendations for sex and relationships education in secondary schools. There were no statistically significant differences in the results regarding location of school, area of residence, gender or age of the participant. Conclusions: Many teachers are being expected to contribute to secondary school sexual health education programmes at a time when they do not have sufficient knowledge to provide young people with adequate sexual health education and when they do not feel prepared to teach, and in many cases would prefer not to teach, these programmes. (Contains 4 tables and 3 figures.)

Smoking among health professionals has been shown to influence smoking-related knowledge and counseling in clinical practice. The evidence regarding smoking as a risk factor has increased in the past decade. The present study was carried out in 2000 and investigated the associations between individual smoking behavior among hospital staff and (a). smoking-related knowledge, (b). attitudes toward counseling on smoking, and (c). self-reported smoking-related counseling provided by the staff. The study was based on a survey using self-administered questionnaires given to all hospital staff in a large university hospital in Denmark. Altogether, 82% of staff (2561) returned a completed questionnaire. Analyses focused on a subsample consisting of health professionals in the clinical wards (1429). Multivariate analyses were performed in which smoking-related knowledge, attitudes toward smoking-related counseling, smoking-related counseling practices, and self-rated qualifications for counseling were main outcome measures. Health professionals who were current smokers systematically underestimated the health consequences of smoking and differed significantly from nonsmokers in their assessments of smoking as a risk factor. Nonsmokers might overestimate smoking as a risk factor. Nonsmokers gave patients advice on smoking cessation significantly more often than did current smokers (ex-smokers, OR=2.5, 95% CI=1.8-3.4; never-smokers, OR=1.5, 95% CI=1.1-2.0). Ex-smokers and smokers felt significantly more qualified to counsel patients about smoking than did never-smokers (ex-smokers, OR=1.8, 95% CI=1.3-2.5; smokers, OR=1.4, 95% CI=1.0-1.9). Individual smoking behavior among hospital staff was strongly associated with smoking-related knowledge, attitudes, and counseling practices. Lack of self-rated qualifications was a major barrier to professional counseling on smoking in a hospital framework.

The goal of this study was to investigate whether integrating a website into chemistry teaching influences 10th-grade students' perceptions of the classroom learning environment, their attitudes regarding the relevance of chemistry, and their understanding of the concept of chemical bonding. Two groups participated in this study: an experimental group and a comparison group. The main study was conducted during the academic year 2005. The teachers in the experimental group were asked to implement four relevant activities from the website that was developed, all dealing with the concept of chemical bonding. Quantitative tools of the study included: A Chemistry Classroom Web-Based Learning Environment Inventory to assess students' perceptions regarding the relevance of chemistry to their life and attitude towards chemistry studies, a feedback questionnaire that examined the students' response after performing the website activities, and an achievement test that assessed their knowledge and understanding of the concept of chemical bonding. We found that the experimental group outperformed the comparison group significantly in most of the research categories. This led us to conclude that the web-based learning environment has potential to enhance the comprehension of chemistry concepts, students' attitudes and interests and to increase students' awareness regarding the relevant aspects of chemistry to daily life. (Contains 11 tables.)

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B (HBV) is the leading cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide. This study assesses the knowledge, attitudes and practices of people with chronic HBV and the associated factors. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at an outpatient adult hepatology clinic at a tertiary hospital in Kuala Lumpur. A self-administered questionnaire was administered on a one-to-one basis to assess knowledge, attitudes, and lifestyle practices of people with chronic HBV. Results: The response rate was 89% (n=483/543). Participants had a mean age of 46.3 (+/-14.7) years and the mean duration of HBV from time of diagnosis was 12.2 (+/-8.8) years. The mean knowledge scores was 12.57/20 (standard deviation: +/-4.4, range: 0-19). Participants aged 30-39 years, with higher educational attainment, employed in professional jobs, longer duration of diagnosis and those without cirrhosis had significantly higher knowledge scores. Age, education level and duration of diagnosis were significant predictors of the knowledge score on standard multiple regression analysis. More than half of the participants were worried of spreading HBV infection were worried of spreading HBV infection to family and friends and worried since the diagnosis. A third of the participants (33.5%) were embarrassed to reveal their diagnosis to the public but most of them (93.6%) would inform their family. Those who reported feeling worried since their diagnosis were more likely to be middle-aged, of Malay ethnicity, shorter duration of diagnosis of less than 10 years and received therapy. About half of the participants (50.6%) did not share dining utensils and the majority (93.2%) believed that HBV can be transmitted by sharing of eating and drinking utensils. As age increases, older patients were significantly more likely not to share utensils. Those who felt worried since diagnosis had significant higher knowledge of HBV. Conclusion: The findings highlight the stigma and misconceptions that still exist among the HBV patients. More patient and public education about HBV and its prevention are essential to increase awareness and to demystify the disease. KEYWORDS: Hepatitis B, knowledge, attitude, practice. PMID:22856889

This study was inspired by a history of student difficulties in calculus, and innovation in response to those difficulties. The goals of the study were fourfold. First, to design a mathlet for students to explore local linearity. Second, to redesign the curriculum of first semester calculus around the use of technology, an emphasis on visualization, and the use of local linearity to introduce the concept of the derivative, while delaying formal limits until later in the semester. Third, to design a framework to assess learning outcomes on the derivative. Fourth, to assess the impact of the course on the learning and attitudes of students. The study also aimed to assess the impact of learner characteristics, the role of technology, and the role of visualization, as they related to learning and attitude outcomes. The development and justification of the local linearity mathlet, the redesigned first semester calculus curriculum and the framework to assess derivative proficiency are reported. A mathlet is a computer application typically accessed over the internet which allows exploration of a specific mathematical concept. Students in this study developed a robust knowledge of the derivative as measured by the framework. Overall they demonstrated facility with stating definitions, finding the derivative and tangent lines, determining non-differentiability, and optimization. They demonstrated these proficiencies in multiple representations. Prior knowledge in rate and slope as well as proficiency translating between mathematical representations were significant determinants of eventual calculus proficiency. Spatial ability and prior knowledge of function were weaker predictors. There was clear evidence that the use of mathlets and graphs had a positive impact on student learning, and students were very positive about their use in this course. They experienced minimal changes in attitude regarding mathematics and technology in general, except for visually oriented students, who had very positive changes in attitude. The students in the experimental group were significantly more positive about their experiences using technology to learn calculus than students studying calculus with a traditional curriculum and labs using Maple which were not discussed in lecture. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.

Peer assessment has been implemented in schools as both a learning tool and an assessment tool. Earlier studies have explored the effectiveness of peer assessment from different perspectives, such as domain knowledge and skills, peer assessment skills, and attitude changes. However, there is no holistic model describing the effects of cognitive and affective feedback, grading, and prior knowledge, and earlier studies often discuss learning outcomes without ascribing them to particular causes. Moreover, few studies have differentiated between the effects of peer assessment on both assessors and assessees. This study used a path model to investigate how two online peer-assessment activities--rubric-based assessment and peer feedback--affected the learning performance of assessors and assessees. One hundred and eighty-one high school students engaged in peer assessment via an online system--iLAP. Several path models were tested and we found that the original model did not fit when the variable of cognitive feedback from peers was included. The best fit model was the one in which direct paths from cognitive feedback from peers and student exam scores in a prior Humanities course were removed. (Contains 3 tables and 4 figures.)

It proposes a training model based on the development of professional skills, on the humanist and socially responsible, which besides being functional to the professional area would also be for the society which it serves. Professional competence is according to M. T. Kane, {sup .}. the degree to which an individual is able to use knowledge, aptitudes, attitudes and wisdom associated with their profession, to solve complex problems that are presented in their area of professional activity{sup .} The model based on the staff of execution {sup .}. continuing attempts to bring as much as possible the world of professional practice and education, while striving to maintain a standardized measurement and evaluation{sup .} It should also serve as the pedagogic concepts of the significant learning in which knowledge must be structured and conceptualized information to facilitate their use. The areas in which happens training should be complementary and include the cognitive (knowledge), the psychomotor (skills) and social affective (attitudes). Assessments should also include a written, oral and practical examination. (Author)

It is important to understand gender difference on pesticide use knowledge, attitude and practices for identifying pesticide risks by gender and to recommend more gender-sensitive programs. However, very few studies have been conducted so far in Nepal. This study, thus, interviewed a total of 325 males and 109 females during 2005 to assess gender differences on pesticide use knowledge, attitude and practices. More than 50% females had never been to school and only <8% individuals were found trained in Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Almost all males and females did not smoke, drink and eat during pesticides application and also believed that pesticides are harmful to human health, livestock, plant diversity and their environment. However, there were gender differences on household decision on pesticides to be used (p<0.001), care of wind direction during spraying (p=0.032), prior knowledge on safety measures (p=0.016), reading and understanding of pesticides labels (p<0.001), awareness of the labels (p<0.001) and protective covers. Almost all respondents were aware of negative impacts of pesticide use on human health and environment irrespective of gender; however, females were at higher risk due to lower level of pesticide use safety and awareness. It is strongly recommended to initiate gender-sensitive educational and awareness activities, especially on pesticide use practices and safety precautions.

This article explores the impact of practitioners' attitudes and knowledge of sexual health on clinical behaviors. Sexual health topics are often areas of concern for clients of any age in counseling. Thus, counselors must be trained and equipped to address sexual health across the life span. This study explored whether child and adolescent clinical mental health staff's attitudes and knowledge of sexual health predicted their clinical behaviors. Results indicated that the practitioners' attitudes about sexual health, not their sexual health knowledge level, predicted whether or not they addressed sexual health with clients. Implications and suggestions for counselors and counselor educators are provided. (Contains 1 table.)

The Global Climate Change Education initiative (GCCE) is a multi-site effort funded by the National Science Foundation to develop web resources. The objective of curricular modules is to improve content knowledge and change attitudes about climate change among undergraduate science students. The two-year evaluation of the project was conducted by Tim Weston from the University of Colorado. The small-scale evaluation first developed measures for attitude and content about climate change, and then administered the measures online. Analysis of results is ongoing. The evaluator wanted to know the attitudes and content knowledge of students after completing the modules, and if attitudes and content knowledge shifted from pre to post. An additional component of the evaluation focused on student understanding of specific global warming topics after completing the modules. Developing the test and survey involved reviewing existing measures, soliciting content from stakeholders in the grant, and then establishing a content framework that covered the important topics in climate change linked to project curricula. The pilot attitude measure contained fourteen agree/disagree items (I believe people should change their lifestyles to help minimize climate change), five self-assessment questions (How informed are you about the different causes of climate change? ), and wo previous experience questions about previous science courses taken, and actions related to climate change. The content measure contained 10 multiple-choice items asking about changes in global average temperature, the scientific methods of climate change, and the primary countries and human activities responsible for climate change. Questions were designed to reflect a mixture of general science literacy about climate change and more specific content related knowledge taught in the curricula. Both content and attitude measures were piloted with students, who answered questions using a think-aloud" interview protocol meant to clarify any ambiguous wording or over-specialized vocabulary in the items. Corrected versions of the measures were then given to small groups of students to check for instrument and sub-scale reliability and to learn if any items had ceiling or floor effects. Results from administration of the post attitude survey showed a majority of students in multiple courses agreed with attitude items across the range of topics. For instance, 72 - 90% or students in 8 courses using the modules agreed or strongly agreed with the statement "I believe people should change their lifestyles to help minimize climate change." A majority of students also agreed with statements such as "Human actions are causing climate change, " and "there is sufficient scientific evidence that climate change is taking place." Where pre/post data was available, average scores across items increased after students used the curricula by an average of .5 on a scale of 1 - 5. Students also scored high on the climate change content measure. Average percentage correct scores per item ranged from 32% to 90%. Average scores also gained by 2 -4 points depending on course.

It is becoming common for research astronomers to become involved with, and often lead, astronomy education projects for K-18 levels and outreach to the general public. Typically, these projects have three principle goals: (i) increase the general astronomy background knowledge of participants; (ii) enhance the participants' life-long attitudes toward astronomy, and science in general; and (iii) increase participants' skills toward using astronomy (high quality teaching by teachers, advanced observing by amateurs, science-positive voting by legislators, etc.). As many financially sponsoring foundations or agencies now require a project evaluation, research astronomers are being asked to document the effectiveness and impact of their activities. Evaluation plans are often presented in proposals as a matrix with rows indicating the specific project goals and outcomes with columns showing project activities, assessment data sources and analysis strategies, and performance indicators of success. Astronomy knowledge increases are commonly measured by pre- and posttests, enhanced attitudes with pre- and posttest Likert scale surveys with responses ranging from "(1) strongly agree" to "(5) strongly disagree," and improved skills by clinical interviews or observation checklists. Quantitative data can be validated qualitatively using individual or group interviews with participants; however, the evaluation results that are often the most convincing employ a triangulated, multi-data source approach to assessing stated project goals which use a combination both quantitative and qualitative data. This work supported in part by NSF TE 9731083 and NASA #NAG5-4576.

The objective of this study was to explore knowledge of, attitudes towards and practice of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) among healthcare workers (HCWs) in the Thika district, Kenya. We used site and population-based surveys, qualitative interviews and operational research with 650 staff at risk of needlestick injuries (NSIs). Research was conducted over a 5-year period in five phases: (1) a bio-safety assessment; (2) a staff survey: serum drawn for anonymous HIV testing; (3) interventions: biosafety measures, antiretrovirals for PEP and hepatitis B vaccine; (4) a repeat survey to assess uptake and acceptability of interventions; in-depth group and individual interviews were conducted; and (5) health system monitoring outside a research setting. The main outcome measures were bio-safety standards in clinical areas, knowledge, attitudes and practice as regards to PEP, HIV-sero-prevalence in healthcare workers, uptake of interventions, reasons for poor uptake elucidated and sustainability indicators. Results showed that HCWs had the same HIV sero-prevalence as the general population but were at risk from poor bio-safety. The incidence of NSIs was 0.97 per healthcare worker per year. Twenty-one percent had had an HIV test in the last year. After one year there was a significant drop in the number of NSIs (OR: 0.4; CI: 0.3-0.6; pdistrict. However, where HIV testing remains stigmatised uptake will be limited - particularly in the initial phases of a programme. PMID:18351477

Drug abusing offenders have high rates of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STI). To date, the HIV/STI prevention needs of offenders in drug court programs have been ignored. This multi-method study employed interviews to assess drug court professionals' perceptions of the need for an HIV risk reduction intervention to be integrated into the services provided to drug court participants. Then, surveys were completed by 235 drug court participants to assess whether their sexual risk behaviors affirmed the need for such an intervention. The survey also assessed demographic characteristics, drug use prior to program entry, HIV knowledge, and condom attitudes. The relationship between duration in the drug court program and sexual risk behavior was also examined. Implications for the development and delivery of HIV risk reduction interventions within drug court programs are discussed. (Contains 3 tables.)

higgins a., callaghan p., devries j., keogh b., morrissey j., nash m., ryan d., gijbels h. & carter t. (2012)?Evaluation of mental health recovery and Wellness Recovery Action Planning education in Ireland: a mixed methods pre-postevaluation. Journal of Advanced Nursing68(11), 2418-2428. ABSTRACT: Aim.? To report a study evaluating the effectiveness of a Wellness Recovery Action Planning education programme. Background.? Internationally, mental health policy is advocating using recovery approaches to care. Underpinning these approaches is investment in education in recovery principles and methods and a need to provide evidence of the impact of this education. Design.? The study design employed a mixed methods approach. Methods.? Using questionnaires and focus groups, we evaluated 2- and 5-day Wellness Recovery Action Planning Education Programmes and assessed participants' attitudes towards recovery, knowledge of recovery and Wellness Recovery Action Planning beliefs. Data were collected between 2009 and 2010. Participants were people with personal experience of mental health problems, practitioners in mental health services and family members/carers of those with mental health problems. Results.? Comparing the pre and postmeasures showed that the programme increased participants' knowledge of and attitudes towards recovery and Wellness Recovery Action Planning. Although this increase was statistically significant for the 2-day programme, it was not so for the 5-day programme. Participants reported being very positive and enthusiastic about the programme and the benefits they had achieved personally and professionally as a result of participating. Conclusions.? This exploratory study shows that providing mental health practitioners and people with personal experience of mental health problems with a systematic education and training in recovery principles using the Wellness Recovery Action Planning approach leads to positive changes in people's knowledge, skills and attitudes towards recovery. This education appeared to inspire, invigorate and empower people, and for many, it was a life changing experience. PMID:22272944

...submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB...understand the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of...influence target audience attitudes and behavior in a positive...interviews with public and healthcare 300 1 .25 75 professionals...Officer, Office of Management and Budget, at...

...review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB...submitted to the Office of Management and Budget for review...Survey of Organ Donation Attitudes and Practices (OMB...Transplantation (DoT), Healthcare Systems Bureau, Health...knowledge of the public's attitudes and perceptions...

A new deterministic algorithm which estimates spacecraft attitude utilizing magnetometer data only is presented. This algorithm exploits the dynamic equations of motion to propagate attitude and thus requires knowledge of both internal and external torques, except in the special case of a spacecraft rotating with constant angular velocity. Preliminary results obtained for the uncontrolled Relay Mirror Experiment satellite utilizing real telemetry data are reported.

Objective To assess the knowledge, attitude and practices among health care professionals regarding pain in children. Methods This was a prospective descriptive survey conducted at a tertiary care hospital in north India. A semi structured questionnaire regarding pain in children was administered to pediatric residents and nurses in a teaching hospital. The questionnaire consisted of 24 items, of which 18 items were rated on a 5-point scale (?strongly agree? to ?strongly disagree?) and 6 items were open-ended questions. Results The response rate was 89.5%. Of 77 participants, 47 (61.1%) were nurses and 30 (38.9%) were pediatric residents. The knowledge about pain scales among the studied healthcare professionals was not widespread. Majority of respondents believed that the best judge of in...

Food preparation practices have changed dramatically in the past fifty years. This study was designed to quantify food preparation knowledge and practices of college women, to assess the reasons why they do not prepare certain foods, and to determine the frequency of eating outside the home. Distinct food preparation ability emerged (high, medium, and low) from a comprehensive list of food. The two dominant reasons for being unable to prepare basic foods were they had never been taught (knowledge barrier) and they had no interest in learning (attitude barrier). Most of the college women ate food prepared outside the home 1-3 times per week. Even though each generation does less cooking than the previous one, food choice still makes a significant contribution to health status. (Contains 1 figure and 4 tables.)

Objective: To determine the level of informed choice in women invited for breast cancer screening for the first time. Methods: To determine the content of decision-relevant knowledge, 16 experts were asked to judge whether each of 51 topics represented essential information to enable informed choices. To assess the level of informed choices, a questionnaire was then sent to all 460 invited women in the south-western part of the Netherlands who turned 50 in August 2008. Results: Of all 229 respondents, 95% were deemed to have sufficient knowledge as they answered at least 8 out of 13 items correctly. In 90% there was consistency between intention (not) to participate and attitude. As a result, 88% made an informed choice. Sixty-eight percent of women responded correctly on the item of over-...

Objective: This article provides an overview of how trainees, faculty, and institutions use technology for acquiring knowledge, skills, and attitudes for practicing modern medicine. Method: The authors reviewed the literature on medical education, technology, and change, and identify the key themes and make recommendations for implementing technology in medical education. Results: Administrators and faculty should initially assess their own competencies with technology and then develop a variety of teaching methods that use technology to improve their curricula. Programs should decrease the general knowledge-based content of curricula and increase the use of technology for learning skills. For programs to be successful, they must address faculty development, change management, and funding. Conclusions: Willingness for change, collaboration, and leadership at all levels are essential factors for successfully implementing technology.

Abstract Zoonoses are diseases caused by infectious agents that are transmitted from animals to humans. Some zoonoses have been associated with the pig and pork industry. To ensure the safety of pigs and pork and to improve public health it is essential to understand the level of knowledge of those affiliated with the swine industry. The purpose of our study was to assess the knowledge of and attitude toward zoonotic and other microbial hazards among targeted groups of stakeholders associated with the Ontario swine industry. A postal questionnaire was sent to 409 individuals representing producers, veterinarians, and allied industry personnel. The questionnaire included seven dichotomous and Likert-scale type questions on microbial hazards, addressing topics on familiarity, concern, presen...

The SCK-CEN 2009 risk perception barometer is based on over 1000 Computer Assisted Personal Interviews, taken from persons selected to be representative for the Belgian 18+ population, and all realized in the period July and August 2009. An additional sample , N = 100 is taken from the for the population living in the communities of Lambusart and Wanfercee-Baulet in the municipality of Fleurus. Besides the classical background variables used to obtain the quota for representatively (age, language, habitat, gender and social class), we also included a series of questions assessing the communication and sociological context. The main topics in the survey were I) risk perception and confidence in authorities; II) Attitude towards science and technology and attitudes toward nuclear energy; III) stake holders engagement; IV)acceptance of legal norms for food products; v) media use; vi) evaluation of nuclear actors; VII) psychometric risk characteristics; VII) safety behaviour and anomy; ix) knowledge about nuclear domain; x) risk communication; xi) consumer's attitude towards food with radioactive contamination. Some of the questions asked in 2009 are similar to those enquired in the SCK barometer of 2006 and 2002, in order to study the time evolution of the risk perception associated with various issues.

Israel suffers from a growing problem of socio-economic gaps between those who live in the center of the country and residents of outlying areas. As a result, there is a low level of accessibility to higher education among the peripheral population. The goal of the Sidney Warren Science Education Center for Youth at Tel-Hai College is to strengthen the potential of middle and high school students and encourage them to pursue higher education, with an emphasis on majoring in science and technology. This study investigated the implementation and evaluation of the enrichment science academic program, as an example of informal learning environment, with an emphasis on physics studies. About 500 students conducted feedback survey after participating in science activities in four domains: biology, chemistry, physics, and computer science. Results indicated high level of satisfaction among the students. No differences were found with respect to gender excluding in physics with a positive attitudes advantage among boys. In order to get a deeper understanding of this finding, about 70 additional students conducted special questionnaires, both 1 week before the physics enrichment day and at the end of that day. Questionnaires were intended to assess both their attitudes toward physics and their knowledge and conceptions of the physical concept "pressure." We found that the activity moderately improved boys' attitudes toward physics, but that girls displayed decreased interest in and lower self-efficacy toward physics. Research results were used to the improvement of the instructional design of the physics activity demonstrating internal evaluation process for effective intervention.

Few longitudinal programs exist to teach senior students (MS4s) to be teachers, nor have there been any reports of comprehensive program evaluation in this area. The primary objectives of this study were to describe our ongoing faculty development effort and to develop a multi-level program evaluation, using Dixon's model. The TALKS (Teaching and Learning Communication Skills) program is a senior elective and open to all MS4s. We evaluated our program through assessment of its participants at three levels: level 1, opinion; level 2, competence; and level 3, performance; but not level 4, patient outcomes. The authors used a retrospective, pre-post questionnaire to assess MS4 attitudes about their educational experiences, a traditional instrument to assess their teaching, an interaction analysis technique using Bloom's taxonomy to assess MS4s' feedback skills, and a SP exam to assess MS4 communication skills. The authors hypothesized that MS4s participating in TALKS would view medical education more positively and informatively, would demonstrate important principles in giving feedback, would be assessed as excellent teachers, and would perform better than controls in an SP exam emphasizing communication skills. Results revealed that MS4s' ratings as teachers were very good to excellent, with the highest scores on the items "knowledgeable, supportive of me, and answering questions clearly." ("Level 1, Opinion") MS4s' perceptions of their knowledge, attitudes and skills increased significantly from the pre to the post-questionnaire. ("Level 2, Competence") MS4 feedback skills to MS2s revealed they did more talking than ideal, often at the lowest levels of Bloom's taxonomy. ("Level 3, Performance") MS4s demonstrated better communication skills than controls on an evaluation by professional SPs. ("Level 3, Performance").

The Commonwealth of the Bahamas is forecasted to be adversely impacted by the effects of climate change. This presentation will present the results of an assessment of the risk perception toward climate change and climate change literacy among Bahamians. 499 Bahamians from the health care and hospitality industries participated in surveys and/or focus groups and three (3) areas of climate change literacy (attitude, behavior and knowledge) were analyzed as well as risk perception. In general, 1) Bahamians demonstrated an elementary understanding of the underlying causes of climate change, 2) possessed positive attitudes toward adopting new climate change policies, and 3) are already adjusting their behaviors in light of the current predictions. This research also resulted in the development of a model of the relationships between the climate literacy subscales (attitude, behavior and knowledge) and risk perception. This study also examined information sources and their impacts on climate change literacy. As the source of information is important in assessing the quality of the information, participants also identified the source(s) of most of their climate change information. The TV news was cited as the most common source for climate change information among Bahamians. As there is limited active research generating specific climate change information in the Bahamas, all the information Bahamians receive as it pertains to climate change is generated abroad. As a result, Bahamians must decipher through to make sense of it on an individual level. From the focus groups, many of the participants have been able to view possible changes through a cultural lens and are willing to make adjustments to maintain the uniqueness and viability of the Bahamas and to preserve it for generations. Continued study of Bahamians' climate change literacy will inform adaption and mitigation policy as well as individual action.

Background: The determinants of medical students' attitudes to communication skills training have for long been a concern among medical educationalists. The present study was undertaken to assess the attitudes of undergraduate medical students towards the teaching of learning communication skills courses and their determinants. Methods: A total of 472 undergraduate medical students from the Universiti Sains Malaysia participated in this study. Students' attitudes were measured using a modified communication skills attitude scale (CSAS). Univariate and multivariate statistics were applied to find the correlates to students' attitudes. Results: More than 95% of the students desired to learn communication skills. The majority of the students preferred formal courses on communication skills du...

Background: Malaria remains the most important public health problem in tropical and subtropical areas. Mothers' or caregivers' ability to recognize childhood malaria-related morbidity is crucial as knowledge, attitudes and health seeking behavior of caregivers towards childhood malaria could influe...

BACKGROUND: Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding antibiotic prescribing for upper respiratory tract infections (URIs) have not been well described among obstetrician-gynecologists (OB/GYNs). This information is useful for determining whether an OB/GYN-specific program promoting appropriate ...

The objective of this study was to compare health care professionals' knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, and practices in providing sexual counselling to physically handicapped patients. Two hundred and twenty-six physicians, registered nurses, physiotherapists and occupational therapists completed mail...

Hospitalization is an opportune time for smoking cessation support; cessation interventions delivered by hospital physicians are effective. While general practitioners' and outpatients' knowledge and attitudes towards smoking cessation have been studied in great detail, in-patient cessation programm...

...intention of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality...that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB...2009, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality...resources for data management and other research-related...knowledge, confidence or attitudes related to...

...submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB...audience knowledge, attitudes, behaviors and other...risk for HIV/AIDS; healthcare providers; representatives...to the: Office of Management and Budget...Director for Science Management, National...

...SERVICES Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality...AGENCY: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality...intention of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality...that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB...current knowledge, attitudes and beliefs...

...under review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in compliance...CDC Desk Officer, Office of Management and Budget, Washington...well-being, and knowledge, attitude, and behaviors; children...Congressionally-mandated reports on healthcare disparities and...

...SERVICES Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality...AGENCY: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality...intention of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality...that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB...current knowledge, attitudes and beliefs...

Background: Dual diagnosis (DD) refers to the coexistence of intellectual disability and psychiatric disorder. In order to provide individuals with DD with adequate care, it is essential for mental health workers to have adequate knowledge and positive attitudes. These may be achieved through proper training. Aims: To summarise the available literature examining the knowledge, attitudes and training of psychiatrists and other professional caregivers in regard to serving people with DD. Methods: A search strategy was developed to find manuscripts published in English since 1995. Results: Twenty-seven studies on knowledge, attitudes and training in the field of DD were identified and reviewed in this paper. Conclusion: The findings of this review stress the need to improve the knowledge, competence and attitudes of practitioners within the DD field via training and practice opportunities. In light of this review, recommendations for improving training opportunities and for conducting future research are made.

BACKGROUND: Malaria remains the most important public health problem in tropical and subtropical areas. Mothers' or caregivers' ability to recognize childhood malaria-related morbidity is crucial as knowledge, attitudes and health seeking behavior of caregivers towards childhood malaria could influe...

...include, but are not limited to, knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, behavioral intentions, practices, behaviors, skills, self-efficacy, and health information needs and sources. The proposed generic clearance is needed for DGMQ to...

...to evaluate the effectiveness of this training on provider behavior and/or patient outcome and the program's utility as a...terms of differential SBIRT-related knowledge, attitudes, self-efficacy, self-reported clinical practices, skills as...

The FDA conducts this periodic omnibus survey of American consumers to track consumer attitudes, knowledge, and reported behaviors related to diet and health issues including cholesterol awareness of diet-disease risk factors, food label use, dietary supplement use, and awarenes...

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of neonatal circumcision immediately following delisting of the procedure in Ontario and to examine parents' knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours regarding circumcision. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING: Perinatal tertiary care centre in southwestern Ont...

Although negative attitudes toward science are common among women and men in undergraduate introductory science classes, women's attitudes toward science tend to be more negative than men's. The reasons for women's negative attitudes toward science include lack of self-confidence, fear of association with social outcasts, lack of women role models in science, and the fundamental differences between traditional scientific and feminist values. Attitudes are psychological constructs theorized to be composed of emotional, cognitive, and behavioral components. Attitudes serve functions, including social expressive, value expressive, utilitarian, and defensive functions, for the people who hold them. To change attitudes, the new attitudes must serve the same function as the old one, and all three components must be treated. Instructional designers can create instructional environments to effect attitude change. In designing instruction to improve women's attitudes toward science, instructional designers should (a) address the emotions that are associated with existing attitudes, (b) involve credible, attractive women role models, and (c) address the functions of the existing attitudes. Two experimental instructional modules were developed based on these recommendations, and two control modules were developed that were not based on these recommendations. The asynchronous, web-based modules were administered to 281 undergraduate geology and chemistry students at two universities. Attitude assessment revealed that attitudes toward scientists improved significantly more in the experimental group, although there was no significant difference in overall attitudes toward science. Women's attitudes improved significantly more than men's in both the experimental and control groups. Students whose attitudes changed wrote significantly more in journaling activities associated with the modules. Qualitative analysis of journals revealed that the guidelines worked exactly as predicted for some students.

Background The purpose of the study was to compare the knowledge scores of medical students in Problem-based Learning and traditional curriculum on public health topics. Methods We planned a cross-sectional study including the fifth and sixth year medical students of Dokuz Eylul University in Turkey. The fifth year students (PBL group, n = 56) were the pioneers educated with PBL curriculum since the 1997–1998 academic year. The sixth year students (traditional education group, n = 78) were the last students educated with traditional education methods. We prepared 25 multiple-choice questions in order to assess knowledge scores of students on selected subjects of Public Health. Our data were collected in year 2002. Results Mean test scores achieved in PBL and traditional groups were 65.0 and 60.5 respectively. PBL students were significantly more successful in the knowledge test (p = 0.01). The knowledge scores of two topics were statistically higher among PBL students. These topics were health management and chronic diseases. Conclusion We found that mean total evaluation score in the PBL group was 4.5 points higher than in the traditional group in our study. Focusing only on the knowledge scores of students is the main limitation of our study. Upon the graduation of the first PBL students in the 2002–2003 academic year, we are planning additional studies regarding the other functions of a physician such as skill, behaviour and attitude.

The purpose of this study was to investigate high school students' knowledge and attitudes regarding biotechnology and its various applications. In addition, whether students' knowledge and attitudes differed according to age and gender were also explored. The Biotechnology Knowledge Questionnaire (BKQ) with 16 items and the Biotechnology Attitude Questionnaire (BAQ) with 37 items which were adapted into Turkish were administrated to 352 high school students. The data were analyzed by making use of both inferential and descriptive statistics. The results showed that students attained poor knowledge regarding biotechnology and its various applications. We found no statistically significant difference between male and female high school students with regard to biotechnology knowledge. On the other hand, we found significant impact of age on biotechnology knowledge. The effects of gender and age were found significant on attitudes. Furthermore, a significant difference was observed between male and female students with regard to attitudes toward biotechnology and its applications in favor of males. The older the students were the more positive attitudes they had. (Contains 1 table.)

The attitude structure toward nuclear power plant is analyzed with the attitudes toward relevant matters, for example image for nuclear power, knowledge of nuclear power, attitudes toward energy and environment, anxiety about various matters, cognition of risk, social and political attitudes and Japanese national character. Six types are revealed, that is to say, indifference group (13%), strongly favorable group (11%), strongly unfavorable group (9%), fairly favorable group (12%), fairly unfavorable group (5%), and intermediate group (50%). Strongly favorable and unfavorable groups are similar in some points and different in other points, for they are both rational whereas the former is optimistic in the attitude toward science and technology and less interested in environmental problems, and the latter is pessimistic in the attitude toward science and technology and extremely sensitive to environmental problems. The intermediate group has so-called Japanese-like characteristics. It is shown that the emotional persuasion and that based on fact presentation are particularly desirable for this group. (author)

Objective: To describe and assess low income, healthy, pregnant Hispanic women's understanding of gestational diabetes (GDM) and willingness to change aspects of their diet. Design: One-on-one, in-person interviews conducted in Spanish with 94 women (primarily Mexican). Setting: Federal Qualified Community Health Center's prenatal clinic. Method: Exploratory two-phased mixed method with a survey of knowledge and attitudes towards gestational diabetes and dietary change, and interviews. In phase two, participants were shown a flyer with the amount of carbohydrates in tortillas and fruit juice in comparison to a candy bar and told of the importance of drinking one glass of water before each meal. Results: Interest in having a healthy baby was high for all participants. Review of a 24-hour dietary recall identified high consumption of carbohydrates and low intake of green and leafy vegetables and water. Family involvement, especially involvement of the husband, was central to almost all the participants' views about food purchase, preparation and consumption. In the phase two follow-up, most women tried to improve their water intake but no-one reported being able to decrease the number of tortillas eaten. Conclusion: The overall profile of attitudes, knowledge, diet and willingness to change aspects of a diet offers additional direction on how to counsel this patient group on ways to decrease risk of GDM. Given Hispanic women's elevated risk for GDM, small dietary changes presented in culturally relevant, straightforward messages about commonly eaten foods might result in improved health for the mother and the broader family. (Contains 3 tables.)

This study assesses the results of a 2-year community-based peer education program aimed at increasing HIV/AIDS knowledge, attitudes toward condoms, and condom use behavior among taxicab and tricycle drivers in the Philippines. Pretest, posttest, and follow-up data were collected throughout the educational intervention program. The results of the repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicate a significant change on knowledge about HIV/AIDS from baseline to posttest and from posttest to follow-up (F= 449.27, df= 2, pless than .001). There was also a significant change on attitudes about condom use from baseline to posttest and from posttest to follow-up (F= 425.19, df= 2, p= 0.001), and a significant effect on condom use behavior with commercial sex workers from baseline to posttest and follow-up (F= 428.31, df= 2, p= .001). The peer-mediated intervention was found to be an effective means of HIV/AIDS prevention among taxi and tricycle drivers in the Philippines. (Contains 5 tables and 1 figure.)

In this cross-sectional questionnaire-based study, we surveyed the attitudes toward, knowledge of, and use of rubber dams (RDs) among dentists in southern Nigeria. The questionnaire, which was distributed and collected by one of the authors, requested information on the dentists' background characteristics, attitudes, and knowledge. Data were analyzed with SPSS, and the chi-square was used to assess differences in categorical variables. A total of 100 out of 108 dentists responded (92.6% response rate). The prevalence of RD use was 18%. Dentists in the government sector used RDs more often than did dentists in the private sector. About 77% of dentists had not used RDs or were unaware of how to use them. All specialists had seen RDs, but only 56% had used one in their practice. All dentists believed in the effectiveness of RDs. We conclude that rubber dams are underutilized in this population, and that dentists need to be made aware of the possibility of rubber dam use through an awareness campaign. (J Oral Sci 52, 245-249, 2010)   

In September 2000, the Physical Education Kindergarten to Grade 12 Program of Studies was approved for implementation in Alberta, Canada. This program helps enable individuals to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to lead an active, healthy lifestyle. The four general outcomes are the ABCDs (Activity, Benefits Health, Cooperation, and Do It Daily...For Life). The ABCDs and the curriculum organizers are shown in the program design. Grade-specific outcomes for each curriculum organizer can be found in the program of studies, which is available at schools or via the Alberta Learning Web site. The program is outcomes-based and focuses on what students learn rather than what teachers teach. This publication explains what the new physical education program is all about, what a quality physical education program in schools looks like, and key components of the K-12 physical education program (active living; outcomes-based approach; knowledge, skills, and attitudes interrelated and interdependent; dimensions of categories; and student assessment). It concludes with resources available to support implementation and implementation questions to consider. A form for evaluating this publication is attached. (SM)

The objective of this study was to explore knowledge of, attitudes towards and practice of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) among healthcare workers (HCWs) in the Thika district, Kenya. We used site and population-based surveys, qualitative interviews and operational research with 650 staff at risk of needlestick injuries (NSIs). Research was conducted over a 5-year period in five phases: (1) a bio-safety assessment; (2) a staff survey: serum drawn for anonymous HIV testing; (3) interventions: biosafety measures, antiretrovirals for PEP and hepatitis B vaccine; (4) a repeat survey to assess uptake and acceptability of interventions; in-depth group and individual interviews were conducted; and (5) health system monitoring outside a research setting. The main outcome measures were bio-safety ...

Purpose: This research evaluated an individualized Internet training designed to teach nurse aides (NAs) strategies to prevent or, if necessary, react to resident aggression in ways that are safe for the resident as well as the caregiver. Design and Methods: A randomized treatment and control design was implemented, with baseline, 1-, and 2-month assessments for 158 NAs. The training involved 2 weekly visits. The Internet intervention was a behaviorally focused and video-based training that included content on skills for safely dealing with physical aggression. Measures included video situation testing and assessment of psychosocial constructs associated with behavior change. Results: Analysis of covariance showed positive results for knowledge, attitudes, self-efficacy, and empathy, with medium-large effect sizes maintained after 2 months. The training was well received by participants. Implications: Internet training is a viable approach to shape appropriate NA reactions to aggressive resident behaviors. This format has future potential because it offers fidelity of presentation and automated documentation, with minimal supervision.

This action research project explored the feasibility and effect of implementing a hospital-wide coordinated approach to improve the management of pain. The project used a previously developed model to introduce three evidence-based changes in pain management. Part of this model included the introduction of 30 pain resource nurses (PRNs) to act as clinical champions for pain at a local level. Both quantitative and qualitative measures were used to assess the feasibility and effect of the changes introduced. Quantitative data were gathered through a hospital-wide document review and assessment of the knowledge and attitude of the PRNs at two time points: time 1 before the introduction of the PRNs and time 2 near completion of the project (11 months later). A statistically significant improv...

Abstract in spanish En este artículo se planteó que considerando las características didácticas del aprendizaje basado en problemas, se requiere de un cambio de mentalidad de los docentes universitarios para apropiarse de una nueva racionalidad evaluativa, la que debe estar constituida por elementos teóricos, conceptuales y prácticos, a fin de evaluar el conocimiento, las habilidades y las actitudes de los estudiantes, además de promover en ellos su participación en el proceso evaluativo. Abstract in english In present paper it is expound that considering didactic features of based on-learning problem, it is necessary a mentality change of university professors to achieve a new evaluation rationality, which must to include theoretical, conceptual, and practical elements, to assess knowledge, abilities, and attitudes of students, in addition to their involvement in assessing process.

BACKGROUNDThis systematic review aimed first to integrate the current body of knowledge on the demographic, institutional and psychosocial information on sperm donors, and second to provide insight into the actual experiences of men who donate and the attitudes towards potential donation.METHODSElectronic databases (PUBMED, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Embase and Web of Science) were searched with no date restriction using a specific search strategy followed by a snowball strategy. English language peer-reviewed abstracts and full texts were screened for eligibility and the risk of bias was assessed with 15 criteria. Eligibility, quality assessments and data extraction were performed by two independent researchers, resolving disagreement by discussion.RESULTSThe initial search retrieved 857 studies and after quality assessment, 29 studies were retained for data extraction. Data from nine countries were obtained. The review synthesis revealed differences and similarities between actual and potential sperm donors on demographic characteristics, financial compensation and attitudes towards anonymity, disclosure and providing information to potential offspring. A number of methodological shortcomings have been identified in the studies investigating sperm donors.CONCLUSIONSInstitutional factors (such as recruitment procedures, altruism versus compensation of sperm donors, anonymity versus open-identity donation) and the impact of changing legislation have largely dominated the studies on sperm donation. Furthermore, studies from countries with a bias towards white Western ideology and interpretation were over-represented. This has resulted in a profile of potential and actual sperm donors in terms of demographics, recruitment strategies, motivation for donation and attitudes regarding anonymity, disclosure, recipients and offspring. However, the psychosocial needs and experiences of the donor, and their follow-up and counselling are largely neglected. This review has identified key issues to inform current practice and the development of pathways of care for sperm donors that reflect the multidimensional nature of sperm donation. PMID:23146866

Objectives Recent research strongly suggests that genetic variation influences smokers' ability to stop. Therefore, the use of (pharmaco) genetic testing may increase cessation rates. This study aims to assess the intention of smokers concerning undergoing genetic testing for smoking cessation and their knowledge, attitudes and preferences about this subject. Design Online cross-sectional survey. Setting Database internet research company of which every inhabitant of the Netherlands of ?12 years with an email address and capable of understanding Dutch can become a member. Participants 587 of 711 Dutch smokers aged ?18 years, daily smokers for ?5 years and smoke on average ?10 cigarettes/day (response rate=83%). Primary and secondary outcome measures Smokers' knowledge, attitudes and preferences and their intention to undergo genetic testing for smoking cessation. Results Knowledge on the influence of genetic factors in smoking addiction and cessation was found to be low. Smokers underestimated their chances of having a genetic predisposition and the influence of this on smoking cessation. Participants perceived few disadvantages, some advantages and showed moderate self-efficacy towards undergoing a genetic test and dealing with the results. Smokers were mildly interested in receiving information and participating in genetic testing, especially when offered by their general practitioner (GP). Conclusions For successful implementation of genetic testing for smoking in general practice, several issues should be addressed, such as the knowledge on smoking cessation, genetics and genetic testing (including advantages and disadvantages) and the influence of genetics on smoking addiction and cessation. Furthermore, smokers allocate their GPs a crucial role in the provision of information and the delivery of a genetic test for smoking; however, it is unclear whether GPs will be able and willing to take on this role. PMID:22223839

Background Since 2005, the T??ch? Community Services Agency (TCSA) in Canada's Northwest Territories (NT) has addressed rising rates of sexually transmitted infections (STI). In 2009, STI rates in the NT were ten times higher than the national rate and T??ch? regional rates were nearly four times that of the NT – 91 cases per 1000 people. We describe a social audit process that assessed the impact of an evidence-based community-led intervention. Methods A baseline survey of sexual health knowledge, attitudes and behaviours in 2006/07 provided evidence for a Community Action Research Team (CART) to develop and to put in place culturally appropriate interventions in the T??ch? region. A follow-up study in 2010 sought to assess the impact of CART activities on condom use and underlying conscious knowledge, attitudes, subjective norms, intention to change, sense of agency and discussions related to condom use and STI risks. We report the contrasts using Odds Ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results One in every three follow-up respondents (315/808) participated in at least one CART activity. Participation in highly ranked interventions was associated with increased condom use during the last sexual encounter (OR 1.45, 95%CI 1.07-1.98). Those exposed to three or more activities were more likely to talk openly about condoms (OR 2.08, 95%CI 1.41-3.28), but were also less likely to be monogamous (OR 0.49, 95%CI 0.29-0.90). Conclusions The measurable impact on condom use indicates a strong beginning for the T??ch? community intervention programmes. The interventions also seem to generate increased discussion, often a precursor to action. The T??ch? can use the evidence to improve and refocus their programming, increase knowledge and continue to improve safe condom use practices. PMID:15306623

Attitudes supportive of sexual offending figure prominently in theories of sexual offending, as well as in contemporary assessment and treatment practices with sex offenders. Based on 46 samples (n = 13,782), this meta-analysis found that attitudes supportive of sexual offending had a small, yet reasonably consistent, relationship with sexual recidivism (Cohen's d = .22). To the extent that differences were observed, attitudes predicted recidivism better for child molesters than for rapists. There was no difference in the predictive accuracy of attitudes assessed at pretreatment or at posttreatment. The current study indicates that attitudes supportive of sexual offending is a psychologically meaningful risk factor for sex offenders. However, given that many different constructs have been designated as sex offender attitudes, further research and theory is needed to understand how these various constructs contribute to recidivism. PMID:23117551

This study assesses the attitudes of Canadian homeowners towards heat pumps as an alternative to conventional heating systems. A pilot survey of heat pump users and prospective users was carried out in four major urban areas and drew upon a non-random sample of households using heat pumps and households without heat pumps. The pilot survey was thus used to develop a database on consumer heating practices, awareness and knowledge of heat pumps, conservation intentions, and other information related to consumer decision-making with respect to heating system modifications. This report presents and analyzes the results of the pilot survey, with the objectives of providing a statistical profile of heat pump users and homeowners without heat pumps, and of identifying their attitudes and decision-making parameters with respect to heating system modifications. The report is structured to present the general survey response, a comparative analysis of households with and without heat pumps, an assessment of regional differences, and statistical distributions on heat pump use and performance. Results show, among other things, that heat pumps were owned by 38% of respondents, that those heat pumps in service were working well and inexpensive to maintain, and that 94% of heat pump owners indicated a decrease in their heating costs. 15 figs., 17 tabs.

A major challenge to integrating local knowledge into collaborative environmental governance processes stems from the underlying differences between positivist science and local knowledge; these differences often result in strong differences of opinion regarding which forms of knowledge are valid in environmental decision-making. Previous research on these issues has mainly focused on the attitudes of scientists towards local knowledge. Studies of the views of local and non-scientific actors regarding their own knowledge are much less common. Through a qualitative case study of water allocation planning in South Australia, we analyzed participants' conceptualizations of local knowledge and the role of local knowledge in collaborative governance. We found that participants defined local kno...

BACKGROUND: There have been many studies demonstrating patients' willingness to pay for medication therapy management services provided by pharmacists. There are few studies, however, evaluating the possible provision of a weight management service in the community pharmacy setting. OBJECTIVES: The objectives were to (1) determine patients' knowledge of obesity and its resultant health risks, (2) determine patients' beliefs about obesity, (3) determine interest in pharmacist-delivered weight management services, and (4) identify factors associated with knowledge, beliefs, and interest in obesity and/or weight management services. METHODS: One thousand patients were selected from 5 community pharmacies under a single chain located within a large metropolitan area to receive a mail survey. Survey items assessed patients' knowledge of obesity and the health risks associated with it by using the Obesity Risks Knowledge Scale and the Obesity Beliefs Scale. Additional survey questions were added to measure patients' willingness to pay for a pharmacist-managed weight management clinic. Descriptive statistics and linear regression models were used in analysis of the data. RESULTS: Nearly two-thirds (62%) of respondents were classified as overweight or obese based on self-reported height and weight. Most of the respondents demonstrated an average level knowledge regarding the health risks associated with obesity. Attitudes toward obesity were commensurate with prevailing knowledge. Only a small proportion (13%) of respondents were willing to pay out of pocket for a pharmacist-delivered weight management service. Very little variance in knowledge, beliefs, or interest in pharmacist-delivered weight management services were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the fact that patients are aware of the health risks associated with obesity and believe it is healthier to maintain ideal body weight, most are not doing so. Additionally, most patients are not willing to pay for pharmacist-delivered weight management services. The findings can begin to assist pharmacists in developing strategies for implementation of weight management services. PMID:22695218

Abstract in portuguese OBJETIVO: Avaliar a efetividade do Curso Integrado de Aconselhamento em Alimentação Infantil na transformação de conhecimentos, atitudes e práticas de pediatras e nutricionistas da rede municipal de saúde de São Paulo. MÉTODOS: Estudo de intervenção randomizado com 29 profissionais no grupo intervenção e 27 no grupo controle. Entrevistadores previamente capacitados coletaram dados dos profissionais nas unidades de saúde antes da intervenção e 2 meses após. (more) Utilizaram-se três instrumentos para avaliar o perfil do profissional, seus conhecimentos e um roteiro de observação clínica. Para análise, utilizaram-se o teste de Kruskal-Wallis para amostras independentes e o método de Tukey. RESULTADOS: Quanto ao conhecimento, observou-se melhora no grupo intervenção (p Abstract in english OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of an integrated infant and young child feeding counseling course for transforming the knowledge, attitudes and practices of pediatricians and nutritionists working for the municipal health system of São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: A randomized intervention study enrolling 29 professionals in the intervention group and 27 in the control group. Interviewers were trained in advance to collect data on the professionals working at health (more) centers, before and 2 months after the intervention. Three research instruments were used, the first was to assess the profile of each professional, the second assessed their knowledge and the third was a clinical observation protocol. Analysis was performed using the Kruskal-Wallis test for independent samples and the Tukey method. RESULTS: The results for the knowledge questionnaire showed improvements in the intervention group (p

Background: The American Psychiatric Association (APA) removed homosexuality from its official list of mental disorders in 1973. However, homosexuals face continuous discrimination in society. Studies have been conducted on societal attitudes toward homosexuals, and most of this research has focused on factors such as gender, educational level, religious beliefs, contact experiences, and type of occupation. This study attempts to analyze physical education teacher education candidates' attitudes toward lesbians and gay men as well as to explore any possible relationships between their level of religiousness and these attitudes. Purpose: The aim of this study is to examine the relationships between attitudes toward lesbians and gay men and the level of religiousness among Turkish physical education teacher majors. Participants: Participants were 78 female (M[subscript age] = 21.12 [plus or minus] 2.24) and 95 male (M[subscript age] = 22.32 [plus or minus] 2.19) undergraduate students enrolled in the physical education teacher education program for the 2010-2011 academic year. Data collection and analysis: The Turkish version of the Attitudes toward Lesbians and Gay Men Scale (short form) was used to measure students' attitudes toward lesbians and gay men. In addition, the Religiosity Scale was used to assess students' beliefs toward Islam. A one-way between-groups multivariate analysis of variance and a paired-samples t-test were conducted to analyze differences in variables, and a Pearson product-moment correlation was used to assess relationships between variables. Results: There was a significant difference between the attitudes of male and female students toward gay men. Male students hold more negative attitudes toward gay men than female students. Male and female students' attitudes toward lesbians and their religiosity levels were comparable. In addition, the results demonstrated significant intra-group differences in the attitudes of male students toward lesbian and gay men. Unlike the attitudes of females, who demonstrated comparative attitudes, the attitudes of males toward lesbians were significantly more positive than toward gay men. There was no significant difference between first-, second-, third-, and fourth-year students in their attitudes toward lesbians and gay men. Lastly, the results of the correlation analyses demonstrated a positive relationship between students' religiosity level and their negative attitudes toward lesbians and gay men. Conclusions: Physical education teacher majors in Turkey have negative attitudes toward lesbians and gay men. Gender differences and religiosity level, unlike year of school, have an impact on the students' attitudes toward lesbians and gay men. These findings reveal the importance of the inclusion of issues related to diverse populations in teacher training programs, which will decrease these negative attitudes. (Contains 3 tables.)

This empirical study investigates the environmental awareness of school children in Bavaria and Asturias. The analysis was based on a data-set (Bavaria, 900 students; Asturias, 182 students) that was collected in spring 2007. Students aged between 14 and 15 years responded to a paper-and-pencil questionnaire. The theoretical concept follows the premise that environmental awareness could be divided into three dimensions: environmental knowledge, attitudes and actions. The results show that there are cultural influences in the scales of knowledge, attitudes and actions. Also, different independent variables have a significant bearing on the Bavarian and Asturian students' levels of environmental knowledge, readiness to act and personal environmental action. (Contains 12 tables.)

We asked Italian poultry workers about knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding avian influenza. It was perceived to be a low occupational hazard, and wearing protective equipment and handwashing were not routine practices. Knowledge of transmission and preventive measures should be improved. E...

A benchmark study was carried out on the knowledge surrounding, attitudes toward, and use of institutional repositories at Mozambican Universities, especially with regard to their medical faculties. This benchmark study was part of a two-step research set-up which examined: The level of knowledge, t...

Using current guidelines, we surveyed physicians at our hospital to ascertain knowledge, attitudes, and practice regarding Clostridium difficile infection. The survey identified significant gaps in knowledge and practice. Infection control professionals should include physician education on Clostridium difficile infection diagnosis, isolation precautions, and treatment as part of a comprehensive control program. PMID:22981165

Background: Nursing aides' attitudes condoning elder abuse are a possible risk factor for executing abusive behaviors against elder residents of long-term care facilities but have been studied infrequently. Purpose: The purpose of the study was to assess nursing aides' attitudes that condone abusive behaviors toward elderly people, as well as the relationship of these attitudes to demographic variables, work stressors (role conflict, role ambiguity, and work overload), burnout, and perceived control, based on the theory of planned behavior (Ajzen, 1988, "Attitudes, personality and behavior". Milton Keynes: Open University Press) Design and Methods: Two hundred and eight nursing aides from 18 nursing homes in Israel completed demographic, work stressors, burnout, and perceived control questionnaires and a case vignette questionnaire to test attitudes condoning elder abuse. Results: The mean score of the attitudes condoning abusive behaviors was relatively high at 3.24 (SD = 0.59) on a 1-4 scale. Condoning abusive behaviors were closely associated with higher levels of work stressors, burnout, and low income. Multiple regression analyses revealed that demographic variables, work stressors, burnout, and perceived control explained 12% of the variance of condoning abusive behaviors among the nursing aides. Of these, role ambiguity, role conflict, and burnout were significantly associated with attitudes condoning abusive behaviors. In addition, burnout partially mediated the relationship between work stressors and attitudes condoning elder abuse. Conclusions: As nursing aides' attitudes condoning elder abuse may influence their actual behaviors, training and supervision programs should be developed to reduce work stressors and burnout and to modify these attitudes.

Mental health and social service provider attitudes toward evidence-based practice have been measured through the development and validation of the Evidence-Based Practice Attitude Scale (EBPAS; Aarons, Ment Health Serv Res 6(2):61?74, 2004). Scores on the EBPAS scales are related to provider demographic characteristics, organizational characteristics, and leadership. However, the EBPAS assesses only four domains of attitudes toward EBP. The current study expands and further identifies additional domains of attitudes towards evidence-based practice. A qualitative and quantitative mixed-methods approach was used to: (1) generate items from multiples sources (researcher, mental health program manager, clinician/therapist), (2) identify potential content domains, and (3) examine the prelimina...

This study describes the development of an instrument to investigate elementary students attitudes toward science. As a result of the instrument development process employed, the finalized instrument consisted of 28-items separated into three dimensions. The instrument was found to exhibit acceptable ranges of internal consistency. Confirmatory Factor Analysis showed three factors that clustered into the three dimensions of attitude identified and concurrent validity was evidenced as correlations were found when comparing attitude measures with the instrument to students? perceptions of their science classrooms. Based on the analyses completed, the instrument appears to be useful for assessing student attitude toward science.

Public service announcements (PSAs) are non-commercial advertisements aiming to improve knowledge, attitudes and/or behavior. No evaluations of epilepsy PSAs exist. This study sought to evaluate a televised PSA showing first aid for a seizure. A multilevel regression analysis was used to determine the effect of the PSA on epilepsy knowledge and attitudes taking into account school-level clustering as well as individual-level variables, including socioeconomic status, gender, language and familiarity with epilepsy. Of the 803 randomly selected Grade 5 (9-11 years) students, 406 (51%) had seen the epilepsy PSA. Those who saw the PSA scored significantly higher on knowledge (P < 0.001) and had more positive attitudes (P < 0.001) about epilepsy. Those who saw the PSA had even greater knowledge...

Abstract Background: Breastfeeding within the first hour of life is a potential mechanism for health promotion and is considered to be an indicator of excellence of breastfeeding. This study was conducted to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding early breastfeeding initiation within the first hour of life in both the Pediatrics and Gynecology and Obstetrics Departments of Minia University Hospital, Minia, Egypt. Subjects and Methods: A study was conducted on four groups of participants from both the Pediatrics and Gynecology and Obstetrics Departments of Minia University Hospital, each of them consisting of 30 individuals, using a questionnaire to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding early breastfeeding initiation for each group. Results: Sixty percent of women delivered by spontaneous vaginal delivery and 16.7% of those delivered by cesarean section initiated breastfeeding within 30 minutes to 1 hour after birth. Forty percent of lactating women delivered by spontaneous vaginal delivery, 83.3% of lactating women delivered by cesarean section, and 36.7% of healthcare workers used prelacteal feed instead of early breastfeeding initiation. The most important factors affecting the breastfeeding initiation were maternal illness followed by immediate skin-to-skin contact. Conclusions: Although the majority of women participating in this study exhibited knowledge about early breastfeeding initiation, actual application of this practice was clearly deficient. In order to improve the rates of breastfeeding initiation within the first hour of life we should enhance vaginal delivery and prenatal classes and implement Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative policies in both the Pediatrics and Gynecology and Obstetrics Departments of Minia University Hospital. PMID:23039401

Social approval is a fundamental part of the site selection process of a radioactive waste repository. Such approval requires the involvement of the local community in the decision-making process and is deemed essential to the success of an enterprise of this kind. A major problem when it comes to nuclear energy is the poor knowledge on the issue among the general population. For effective participation in the decision-making process, the community of the candidate site should be well informed on nuclear issues, because efficient community interaction depends on the level of knowledge of their citizens on the subject. One way to identify this level of knowledge is through opinion polls on attitudes and beliefs regarding the use of nuclear energy and on radioactive waste. In the European Union research is carried out periodically seeking to know people's opinion about their participation in the decision-making process. In order to assess in a preliminary way the attitude on this matter of university students of the state of Rio de Janeiro, the research method used in the European Union was adapted and subsequently applied to a sample of 200 students from public and private universities within the state. The results indicate that the majority of respondents, though possessing little information on nuclear issues, would like to participate in the decision-making process for site selection of a low and intermediate level radioactive waste repository, if that repository was to be built close to their living area. The collected data also identifies the sources of information that are considered trustworthy by the surveyed sample. Although exploratory, this research provides guidelines for future work to be developed within the scope of the site selection for a radioactive waste repository in Brazil. (author)

Aims To investigate the extent of homoeopathic prescribing in primary care for childhood diseases and assess GP attitudes towards the use of homoeopathy in children. Methods Homoeopathic prescribing in primary care was assessed in 167 865 children aged 0–16 years for the year 1999–2000. Computerized prescribing data were retrieved from 161 representative general practices in Scotland. Medical attitudes towards homoeopathic prescribing to children were also assessed via a questionnaire survey. Results During the year 1999–2000 22% (36) of general practices prescribed homoeopathic medicines to 190 (1.1/1000 registered) children. The majority of such prescriptions were issued to children under 1 year of age (8.0/1000 registered children). The most frequently prescribed medicines were for common self-limiting infantile conditions such as colic, cuts and bruises, and teething. A total of 259 completed questionnaires were returned by GPs, giving a response rate of 75%. GPs who frequently prescribed homoeopathic medicines to children (more than 1 per month) were more likely to claim an interest in homoeopathy, have had a formal training and keep up to date in the discipline, and refer on to a homoeopath (P homoeopathic medicines did so when conventional treatments had apparently failed (76%), while 94% also perceived homoeopathy to be safe. Frequent prescribers reported a more positive attitude towards homoeopathic medicines than those who prescribed less frequently. Non-prescribers reported a lack of proven efficacy and lack of training as the main reasons for not prescribing homoeopathic medicines (55% and 79%, respectively). However non-prescribers from within homoeopathic prescribing practices reported a more favourable attitude in general towards homoeopathy and less resistance towards prescribing in the future than non-prescribers from practices where none of the partners practiced homoeopathy. Conclusions In primary care paediatric prescribing of homoeopathic medicines most commonly occurs for self-limiting conditions in infants less than 1 year of age. Although the current level of homoeopathic prescribing is low, the widespread use in the community suggests that at least some knowledge of the main indications for homoeopathy and the preparations used would be of benefit to registered medical practitioners.

Plants are integral parts of ecosystems which determine life on Earth. People's attitudes toward them are however, largely overlooked. Here we present initial psychometric assessment of self-constructed Plant Attitude Scale (PAS) that was administered to a sample of 310 Slovakian students living in rural areas aged 10-15 years. The final version of PAS consists from 29 Likert-scale items that were loaded to four distinct dimensions (Interest, Importance, Urban trees and Utilization). Mean scores revealed that Slovakian students lack positive attitudes toward plants and that gender had no effect on their mean attitude scores. Living in a family with a garden was associated with a more positive attitude toward plants. Further correlative research on diverse samples containing urban children and experimental research examining the impact of gardening in schools on student attitudes toward plants is required.

Reflecting on a personal journey as a geography student, an academic, an educator and a teacher trainer, the article provides a critical narrative of the state of school geography in Singapore and argues that its development has remained relevant to the changing issues at a global level. Using personal reflections and document analyses, school geography is traced from the primary school to tertiary levels, covering aspects of curriculum, teacher education and assessment. A specific example of education for climate change is used to examine if school geography in Singapore is indeed relevant to engaging global issues. The school geography curriculum can be designed to imbue our learners with the awareness, knowledge, skills, attitudes, evaluation ability and participation required to discourse and engage environmental concerns such as climate change. It is only through this change to the climate in teaching and learning geography that there is hope to mitigate climate change and other global concerns.

SummaryWest Midlands was particularly affected by the 2009 H1N1 influenza A (pH1N1) pandemic. Vaccination of frontline healthcare professionals (HCPs) aimed to prevent spread to vulnerable patients, minimise service disruption and protect staff. HCPs involved in upper airway management are particularly at risk of aerosol exposure. We assessed the attitudes of these HCPs towards pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 vaccination uptake: primary reasons for acceptance, barriers to vaccination, and knowledge surrounding pH1N1 influenza. We performed a voluntary, anonymous questionnaire survey based in two West Midlands National Health Service Trusts, one month after introduction of the vaccine. In all, 187 useable responses were received (60.5% response rate); 43.8% (N=82) had/intended to receive v...

Background: The role of basic science education in a clinical setting remains unclear. Research to understand how academic clinicians perceive and use this part of their education can aid curricular development. Aims: To assess physician's attitudes toward the value of science knowledge in their clinical practice. Methods: Academic physicians from three medical schools completed a questionnaire about the utility of basic science education in core clinical tasks and in practice-based learning and improvement. Results: A total of 109 clinical faculty returned the survey. Overall, 89% of the respondents indicated that basic science education is valuable to their clinical practice. When asked about the utility of basic science information in relation to direct patient care, greater than 50% of...

Abstract We conducted an evaluation of our food handler certification program, PROTON. Research examined changes in knowledge, attitude and behavior of participants as a result of completing the course. Participants completed a pre-test assessing the three variables related to food safety at time of registration. One month following the completion of the program, participants completed an identical post-test. A total of 1,042 pre-tests and 320 post-tests were completed. Scores in the pre-test (6.3/10) and mean score for the post-test (7.6/10) rendered a mean difference of 1.3 (95% confidence interval-=-1.1 to 1.6; P-PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS From a program planning perspective, there are a number of implications from this study. It would be useful to revise the program according to the findin...

Objectives Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in Qatar. Despite the sustained efforts to increase breast cancer public awareness via campaigns and public screening programmes, breast cancer screening rate remains low. The involvement of community pharmacists in the communication and distribution of breast cancer screening information should have a significant positive impact. The objectives of this study were to determine the degree of community pharmacists??¢â???¬â???¢ involvement in breast cancer health promotion activities in Qatar, to explore their attitudes towards the involvement in breast cancer health promotion, to assess their breast cancer knowledge, to gauge their interest in receiving breast cancer continuous education and to list their perceived barriers for...

ABSTRACT Introduction. It has been well documented that young people are more likely to engage in high-risk sexual activity. Appropriate understanding of safe sex, sexual practices, and related behaviors must recognize the importance of socioeconomic and cultural factors in prevention efforts related to HIV and other sexual transmitted infections (STIs). Aim. To examine and summarize the opportunities and challenges of sexual health services among young people in Nepal. Main Outcome Measures. Review of literature-assessing knowledge, attitudes, and understanding of sex, sexual health, and related sexual risk behaviors, among young people (15-24), in line with the current sociocultural and health service practices. Methods. Medline, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (...

Evidence for media effects in survey research often depends upon measures of self-reported attention to various types of media content, under the assumption that such attention measures gauge the extent of cognitive processing of content. However, effects associated with self-reports of attention might often be due to reverse causation (the attitude or knowledge tested as the outcome might in fact give rise to self-reports of greater attention) or third variable effects. To better assess whether self-reported attention to content actually measures differential processing of content, an experiment was conducted in the context of media influences on health and safety risk perceptions. A pool of 120 eligible news stories concerning violent crime, car crashes, and other unintentional injuries ...

Objective: Road traffic injuries (RTIs) are a leading cause of disability and fatality globally. Motorcycle-related injuries, mainly head injuries, and related deaths and disabilities are a significant contributor to the burden of disease in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Helmets have been proven to be an effective way to reduce the risk of head injury. As motorcycle use continually increases in Cambodia, head injuries and related deaths and disabilities are expected to rise. This article aims to assess the current status of helmet use in Cambodia, as well as the knowledge, attitudes, and practices among motorcyclists, in order to assist with better planning and implementation of injury prevention strategies. Methods: Two separate methodologies were employed for this study. Helm...

A participatory curriculum development process was undertaken to design and implement a university-level, community-based environmental education training course to target behaviors and thus increase the effectiveness of conservation programs in central Vietnam. The process included (1) stakeholder analysis, (2) training needs assessment, (3) development of a curriculum framework, (4) training of trainers, (5) curriculum review workshop (6) development of a detailed curriculum, workbook and teacher's notes, (7) testing and verification of the field methodology and development of a field manual, (8) teaching of courses, and (9) development of monitoring and evaluation protocol. Participatory field activities were used to develop specific strategies to understand and alleviate local conservation problems by targeting specific behaviors related to particular conditions of knowledge, skills, attitudes, barriers and/or options. (Contains 5 tables.)

This trainer's guide is intended to assist supervisors of work-based career training projects in teaching students the procedures of conducting the MOT (Ministry of Transportation) Test (Great Britain's motor vehicle inspection test) and dealing with the customers on whose cars the inspection is performed. The guide is one in a series of core curriculum modules that is intended for use in combination on- and off-the-job programs to familiarize youth with the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary for success in the workplace. Included in the guide are the following components: project information, a summary of the content and approach of the guide, supervisor's notes, lists of tasks and core skills, an action plan that includes suggested learning activities, supervisor and trainee review sheets, and an assessment form. (MN)

Abstract This study aimed to assess the attitudes, practices and knowledge of general practitioners (GPs) with regards to vitamin D. A cross-sectional survey of a random sample of GPs stratified by location of practice (rural/remote or metropolitan) and employment status (full-time or part-time) in New South Wales (NSW), Australia was conducted. Of 500 respondents, 58.1% (95% CI 53.8-62.4) reported that up to 39% of their tested patients showed vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency and a further 37.7% (95% CI 33.5-41.9) of respondents said that over 40% of their patients were vitamin D insufficient. Vitamin D supplementation and advice to receive more natural sunlight were the most common ways vitamin D insufficiency was managed (97.1%; 95% CI 95.6-98.6 and 82%, 95% CI 78.6-85.4, respectiv...

Background: Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women. The Chinese Breast Cancer Screening Beliefs (CBCSB) questionnaire was developed to measure Chinese-Australian women's beliefs, knowledge and attitudes about breast cancer and breast cancer screening. Purpose: To assess the psychometrics of the modified version CBCSB in a Chinese-speaking community. Methods: Two items in the original CBCSB were removed because they were not applicable to the Hong Kong setting, which resulted in an 11-item CBCSB. A total of 730 women aged at least 18 years old without a history of breast cancer self-completed the questionnaire. Results: Based on 730 Chinese-speaking women with mean age of 43 years, the three hypothesized subscales of the CBCSB had Cronbach's alpha ranging between 0.69 and ...

Summary Objective To assess the effectiveness of a community-based HIV prevention intervention for adolescents in terms of its impact on (1) HIV and Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) incidence and on rates of unintended pregnancy and (2) reported sexual behaviour, knowledge and attitudes. Methods Cluster randomised trial of a multi-component HIV prevention intervention for adolescents based in rural Zimbabwe. Thirty communities were selected and randomised in 2003 to early or deferred intervention implementation. A baseline bio-behavioural survey was conducted among 6791 secondary school pupils (86% of eligibles) prior to intervention implementation. Results Baseline prevalences were 0.8% (95% CI: 0.6-1.0) for HIV and 0.2% (95% CI: 0.1-0.3%) for HSV-2. Four girls (0.12%) were pregnant. T...

This trainer's guide is intended to assist supervisors of work-based career training projects in helping students understand the benefits, advantages, and disadvantages of a microwave oven and its use. The guide is one in a series of core curriculum modules that is intended for use in combination on- and off-the-job programs to familiarize youth with the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary for success in the workplace. Included in the guide are the following components: project information, a summary of the content and approach of the guide, supervisor's notes, background information, lists of tasks and core skills, an action plan that includes suggested learning activities, supervisor and trainee review sheets, and an assessment form. (YLB)

Practicing teachers often engage in continuous professional learning with certain career considerations. Based on achievement goal theory, this study explored the effects of career goals on teacher's learning using a sample of practicing teachers in Hong Kong. Two forms of career goals were assessed using a questionnaire. Professional learning goals orient teachers to learn for improving professional competence by acquiring professional knowledge and understanding, and extrinsic career goals focus teachers on learning for tangible benefits such as career promotion and higher professional qualification. Results derived from regression analyses confirmed that professional learning goals were the most significant goals in predicting adaptive use of learning strategies, regulatory strategies, and positive attitudes towards learning. Extrinsic career goals predicted the use of surface strategies. This study also found that self-efficacy mediated the effects of different goals on learning. Cluster analyses provided additional findings confirming the importance of professional learning goals in teachers' goal profiles. (Contains 6 tables.)

One hundred fifty-five college undergraduates from Syracuse University were surveyed to assess the relationship between their scientific literacy and attitudes to US space exploration. The students were divided into four sections based on majors: basic sciences (n = 41), health sciences (n = 29), political science (n = 36) and other (n = 49). As a whole the students had high scientific knowledge and overall support for human space exploration. There was a significant correlation (rho = 0.33, P < 0.01) between the dependent variables, suggesting that those with the highest scientific literacy looked more favorably upon US space exploration. When evaluated by college major, significant correlations were evident for political science and health science majors only (P < 0.05). There were no di...

Objective: Compare the nutritional vulnerability, risk of malnutrition, nutritional status and quality of life (QoL) between recipients and non-recipients of nutrition care and support (NCS) of HIV-positive adults. Methods: In 2009, a household-based cross-sectional study of HIV-positive adults, NCS recipients (n=97) and non-NCS recipients (n=203) from KwaZulu-Natal was conducted. Nutritional vulnerability (socio-economic status; food security; self-reported health status; nutritional knowledge and attitude), risk of malnutrition (nutrition assessment screening tool), anthropometry (body mass index; mid-upper arm circumference; waist-to-hip ratio) and QoL (general health; self-care; physical functioning) were compared between the two groups. Result: Although the result suggests a modest im...

This study was designed to assess the knowledge and perceptions of Nigerian dentists to the National Health Insurance scheme (NHIS). A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted amongst 250 dentists employed in private and public dental clinics in Lagos State, Nigeria. The survey instrument was a self-administered questionnaire designed to assess their knowledge and attitudes towards the scheme. Data analysis was done using the Epi-Info statistical software (version 6.04). Statistical tools used included measures of central tendency, frequency distribution and chi-square test. A total of 216 dentists (response rate of 82.4%) participated in this study. Most 132 (61.1%) of the respondents had a fair knowledge of the NHIS, while 22 (10.2%) and 62 (28.7%) had poor and good knowledge respectively. Majority (70.4%) viewed the NHIS as a good idea that will succeed if properly implemented. Most (76.6%) respondents also believed that the scheme will improve access to oral health services, affordability of services (71.4%), availability of the services (68.3%) and recognition of dentistry as a profession (62.4%). Most of the respondents (66.2%) considered oral health care as not properly positioned in the NHIS and 154 respondents (74.4%) found the current position of oral health on the NHIS unacceptable. A good number of the respondents (77.3%) would like dentistry to operate at the primary care level on the NHIS. Majority of the dentists involved in this study had some knowledge of the NHIS and were generally positively disposed towards the scheme and viewed it as a good idea. PMID:20632669

Nutrition knowledge is a prerequisite for processing nutrition-related information when making food choices. Insight into determinants of nutrition knowledge is important both for designing measures aimed at increasing levels of nutrition knowledge and for food industry attempting to position food products based on their nutritional properties. Shoppers recruited in the UK, Sweden, France, Germany, Poland and Hungary (total n=5967) filled out a questionnaire measuring their nutrition knowledge with regard to dietary recommendations, sources of nutrients, and calorie content of food and drink products. Differences in the level of knowledge found were related to country, socio-demographic characteristics, attitude to healthy eating, and use of different sources of nutrition knowledge. Result...

Abstract Introduction and Aims. Staff attitudes are an important factor in the successful implementation of systematic alcohol strategies and policies. The forms and extent of training needed to improve therapeutic attitude among psychiatric staff to problem drinking are unclear. The aim of the investigation was to study the knowledge and attitudes of psychiatric staff toward problem-drinking patients. A further aim was to investigate whether a short 3-h training is sufficient to improve knowledge and therapeutic attitude toward problem drinking. Design and Methods. A tailored training model for psychiatric staff (non-physicians) was carried out at a medium size university clinic. Participants were medical (nurses and psychiatric aides) and non-medical staff (psychologists and social worke...

This study investigated the effects of an educational program designed to improve the knowledge and attitudes of senior dental students in an Iranian dental school about caring for patients with HIV/AIDS. As part of an extramural program in community dentistry, a new educational program about HIV/AIDS was developed at Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2009. The program consisted of two days' observation at the Consultation Center for Behavioral Diseases and a one-day workshop on infection control. A control group was selected from dental students at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. Before and after the intervention, students in both the intervention and control groups completed a questionnaire concerning their knowledge of and attitudes about HIV/AIDS. Students in the intervention group also expressed their opinions in a post-test questionnaire. An independent sample t-test was used for statistical analysis. In the control group, the means of students' knowledge and attitude scores did not differ significantly from pre-test to post-test. In the intervention group, however, the means of both knowledge and attitude scores on the post-test were significantly higher than on the pre-test (p=0.001 and p=0.009, respectively). In the intervention group, more than 96 percent of the students reported that they would completely follow infection control principles in future practice. This study concludes that the educational program improved the students' knowledge of and attitudes about HIV/AIDS and will have a positive effect on their future practice. PMID:22659709

Abstract in portuguese Estuda-se conhecimentos, atitudes e práticas em relação à assistência pré-natal de 404 mulheres internadas no Serviço de Obstetrícia de um hospital do município de São Paulo (Brasil). Descreve-se o trimestre da gestação em que a assistência pré-natal teve início, de acordo com o risco gravídico medido através do sistema de avaliação de Perkin. Apresentam-se as razões que impediram o comparecimento no primeiro trimestre de gravidez ou levaram ao não-co (more) mparecimento a esse serviço, assim como inconsistências entre atitudes e práticas da população em estudo. Abstract in english The knowledge, attitudes and practices, in relation to prenatal care, of 404 women patients in the Obstetrics Clinic of a hospital in the municipality of S. Paulo (Brazil) were studied. The period of gestation in which prenatal care started is described in accordance with pregnancy risk as measured by Perkin's method of assessment. This study sets out the reasons with hindered the patients' taking advantage of the services offered by this Clinic during the first trimester (more) of pregnancy or at any time during pregnancy, as well as the inconsistencies between the attitudes and practices of the population sample under review.

The aim of this pilot research was to improve understanding of individuals at risk of oral cancer, to determine their attitudes towards and responses to early detection interventions. In-depth interviews with the target group (n = 25) were used to determine their views, attitudes and requirements for an intervention to encourage early detection of oral cancer. This data was used in combination with theory-based constructs to develop written material that aimed to increase awareness of oral cancer, encourage mouth self-examination (MSE) and early presentation. A second pilot study used a think-aloud protocol to assess the target groups' (n = 14) reactions to the written information. In both studies the tape-recorded responses were analysed using framework analysis. The target group had limited knowledge about oral cancer, particularly the signs and symptoms. Participants saw benefits in performing MSE but noted the main barriers were not knowing what signs to look for or where to look. The written information was generally well-received but required some modifications. In particular, the target group required further persuasion that their lifestyle contributed to an increased risk of oral cancer. The results of these pilot studies have informed the development of a theory-based intervention for the early detection of oral cancer. PMID:21598189

Abstract in spanish El trabajo presenta los resultados de un estudio sobre las actitudes hacia las aplicaciones nucleares realizado en Cuba durante los años 2004 al 2006. Este estudio responde a la necesidad de la Agencia de Energía Nuclear y Tecnologías de Avanzada de determinar las actitudes de los diferentes públicos hacia la energía nuclear para un diseño estratégico de la comunicación. Se eligió como público objeto a los usuarios finales de las técnicas nucleares y se elabor? (more) ? una metodología que permitió evaluar la posición de la muestra hacia las aplicaciones nucleares en términos de acuerdo o desacuerdo, aceptación o rechazo, a partir de la indagación sobre su conocimiento, valoraciones y comportamientos. Abstract in english The paper presents the results of a study implemented in Cuba from 2004 to 2006, regarding the attitude towards nuclear applications. This study is a response to the need of the Agency of Nuclear Energy and Advanced Technologies to determine the attitude of the different publics towards nuclear energy for the strategic design of communication. For the research, a methodology was used for evaluating the opinion of final users towards nuclear applications in terms of agreem (more) ent or disagreement, acceptance or rejection. It was deduced from the inquiry about their knowledge, assessment and behaviour.

This study investigates attitudes toward human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among parents of adolescent girls in Mysore, India. Seven focus group discussions were held among parents of adolescent girls stratified by sex, religion and region to explore attitudes about cervical cancer and HPV vaccination. The study found that while parents have limited knowledge about HPV or cervical cancer, most are still highly accepting an HPV vaccine. In addition, high acceptability levels appear to reflect positive attitudes toward the government universal immunization program in general, rather than to the HPV vaccine in particular. The results highlight the need for additional education and health promotion regarding HPV and cervical cancer prevention in India.

Spiders are traditionally considered to be among the least popular of animals. Current evidence suggests that a negative attitude towards spiders could be influenced by both cultural and evolutionary pressures. Some researchers suggest that science education activities could positively influence students' perceptions of spiders. Their evidence is, however, ambivalent. Using a five-point score Likert-type questionnaire in which the items were developed in a similar way to four of Kellert's categories of attitude (scientistic, negativistic, naturalistic, and ecologistic) towards invertebrates, we compared the level of knowledge of and attitudes towards spiders of high school students from two countries, Slovakia (n = 354) and South Africa (n = 382). The students represented different culture...

This research explored the effects of food choice motives, nutritional knowledge, and the use of food labels, on attitude toward food with health claims. Food with health claims was chosen as a relatively novel category of products designed to be beneficial for health. We identified eight motives served by food in general, and tested if they serve as motivations to positively evaluate functional food. Questionnaire was administered on nationally representative samples of 3085 respondents from six Western Balkan countries. We proposed two structural models relating an extensive list of eight and, alternatively, restricted list of three food-choice motives (health, mood and sensory appeal) to attitude toward functional food. We also expected the indirect association between the health motive and attitude, through nutritional knowledge and use of food labels. The results revealed highly positive, although undifferentiated attitude toward functional food, with no significant differences between the countries. The restricted model provided a better fit then the exhaustive model; the health motive was proven to have indirect influence on attitude through knowledge and label use. The implications of these findings for functional approach to attitudes, understanding the demand for functional food and overcoming barriers to dietary change are discussed. PMID:22989622

Propagating attitude by integrating Euler's equation for rigid body motion has long been suggested for the Earth Radiation Budget Satellite (ERBS) but until now has not been implemented. Because of limited Sun visibility, propagation is necessary for yaw determination. With the deterioration of the gyros, dynamic propagation has become more attractive. Angular rates are derived from integrating Euler's equation with a stepsize of 1 second, using torques computed from telemetered control system data. The environmental torque model was quite basic. It included gravity gradient and unshadowed aerodynamic torques. Knowledge of control torques is critical to the accuracy of dynamic modeling. Due to their coarseness and sparsity, control actuator telemetry were smoothed before integration. The dynamic model was incorporated into existing ERBS attitude determination software. Modeled rates were then used for attitude propagation in the standard ERBS fine-attitude algorithm. In spite of the simplicity of the approach, the dynamically propagated attitude matched the attitude propagated with good gyros well for roll and yaw but diverged up to 3 degrees for pitch because of the very low resolution in pitch momentum wheel telemetry. When control anomalies significantly perturb the nominal attitude, the effect of telemetry granularity is reduced and the dynamically propagated attitudes are accurate on all three axes.