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Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

"I'M Glad You Asked": Homeless Clients With Severe Mental Illness Evaluate Their Residential Care, Katherine Tyson Mccrea, Lesa Spravka Dec 2008

"I'M Glad You Asked": Homeless Clients With Severe Mental Illness Evaluate Their Residential Care, Katherine Tyson Mccrea, Lesa Spravka

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Homeless clients with severe mental illness can offer considerable insight about their residential care, but there are significant methodological challenges in eliciting their service evaluations: maximizing participation, facilitating self-expression, and preserving clients' natural meanings. This study addresses those challenges and presents qualitative data residential care staff obtained from 210 clients. While clients prioritized meeting their subsistence needs, they emphasized attaining inner well-being and mutually respectful relationships, and that group services needed to reduce confrontational interactions in order to be helpful. For after-care services, clients sought sustained relationships with staff grounded in client initiative, combining respect for their autonomy with psychosocial …


The Std – Hiv Connection: Deficiencies In Knowledge And Practice Patterns Among Family Physicians And Gynecologists Oct 2008

The Std – Hiv Connection: Deficiencies In Knowledge And Practice Patterns Among Family Physicians And Gynecologists

Florida Public Health Review

Previous studies have shown suboptimal compliance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations for HIV testing in patients with sexually-transmitted disease (STDs). However, the literature is especially sparse with respect to family physicians and gynecologists in private practice. Further, there are no data regarding knowledge among these physicians of the causative relationship between STDs and HIV. All family physicians (238) and gynecologists (131) in private practice in Broward County, Florida were anonymously surveyed for their knowledge of the connection between STDs and HIV and to determine if they translated this into practice. Responses from 57 family physicians and …


College Students’ Knowledge About Meningococcal Disease And Preferences For Health Information Oct 2008

College Students’ Knowledge About Meningococcal Disease And Preferences For Health Information

Florida Public Health Review

The purpose of this study was to measure college students’ knowledge about meningococcal disease, preferred sources of health information, and vaccine intentions. Participants included 519 students taking online undergraduate courses in public health. We developed and administered a brief, ten-question online survey, which was posted on BlackBoard®. Students demonstrated a high level of knowledge about risk factors for meningococcal disease, but reported a need for more information, preferably delivered through electronic media. About a third of students had received the meningococcal vaccine prior to the survey; students who lived on campus were more likely to be vaccinated. Further research is …


Creando Nuestra Salud (Creating Our Health) - Results And Findings From A Breast Cancer Education Program With Rural Hispanic Women Oct 2008

Creando Nuestra Salud (Creating Our Health) - Results And Findings From A Breast Cancer Education Program With Rural Hispanic Women

Florida Public Health Review

Rural Hispanic females practice breast-self exams (BSE) and other breast health screenings less than women from all other racial or ethnic groups. Questions remain as to why these women do not practice these important breast health behaviors. A qualitative design was used to assess the knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and barriers to breast health activities among 288 rural Hispanic women. Results revealed that along with external barriers such as transportation and money, internal barriers (shame of being seen naked, discomfort of touching their own breasts, and lack of knowledge) had a greater effect on their practice of breast health activities. The …


Development And Pilot Testing Of A Low Literacy Handout For Hispanic/Latino Caregivers To Promote Breastfeeding And Introduce Age Appropriate Foods For Infants, Judith C. Rodriguez, Nancy Correa-Matos Aug 2008

Development And Pilot Testing Of A Low Literacy Handout For Hispanic/Latino Caregivers To Promote Breastfeeding And Introduce Age Appropriate Foods For Infants, Judith C. Rodriguez, Nancy Correa-Matos

Florida Public Health Review

Based on input from four focus groups the authors developed a culturally and linguistically appropriate material (CLAM) that used a pictorial format to promote breast feeding and age-appropriate introduction of solids for Hispanics/Latinos that attended a public health clinic in the northeast region of Florida. The handout focused on five key, but simple educational messages. Clients were randomly assigned to receive 1) the physician's usual oral instruction or 2) instruction that incorporated the use, and provision of, the handout. Among the group (n=12) that received the handout the mean month for introduction of solids was 5 months compared to 4.07 …


Comorbidities Of Patients With Hypertension Admitted To Emergency Departments In Florida Hospitals Aug 2008

Comorbidities Of Patients With Hypertension Admitted To Emergency Departments In Florida Hospitals

Florida Public Health Review

Although essential hypertension (EHT) tends to coexist with other conditions, few studies have focused on comorbidities and symptoms among patients admitted to emergency departments (ED). The objective was to compare the characteristics, comorbidities and symptoms among patients with three types (unspecified, benign, or malignant) of EHT in Florida. A public use data set of ED patients from the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) from 2005 was used. Records included those with primary diagnosis of three types of EHT based on the International Classification of Diseases, 9th edition (ICD-9) code. Group comparisons were made using Chi square tests and …


Tell A Church - Lessons Learned From A Church-Based Tuberculosis Health Education Program Aug 2008

Tell A Church - Lessons Learned From A Church-Based Tuberculosis Health Education Program

Florida Public Health Review

Historically, the church has been the center of the African American community – contributing to the spiritual and physical well-being of its congregations. Community health education outreach utilizing African American churches could prove effective but is often neutralized by historical feelings of distrust in research and outreach by secular organizations. During the summer of 2007, the “Think TB” project, a tuberculosis education program, attempted to utilize the church as a health education venue and overcome the historical hurdles that usually hamper church- based health education promotion. This paper discusses the “Think TB” program’s challenges and successes.


Characteristics Of Patients Admitted To Florida Hospitals For Cardiovascular Diseases Aug 2008

Characteristics Of Patients Admitted To Florida Hospitals For Cardiovascular Diseases

Florida Public Health Review

The present study evaluated the variations in demographic and clinical characteristics of patients hospitalized for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in Florida hospitals in 2005. Using the 2005 data from the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, patients admitted for any CVD were extracted by using the International Classification of Diseases, 9th edition (ICD-9) codes. Of all patients (N=2,534,641) hospitalized in 2005, about 17.7% (n=450,559) were admitted for CVD. There were nine distinct diagnosis groups for CVD and about 33.2% and 31.8% of patients were admitted for other forms of heart disease (OHD) and ischemic heart disease (IHD), respectively. Cerebrovascular disease or …


Social And Environmental Risk Factors For Hypertension In African Americans Aug 2008

Social And Environmental Risk Factors For Hypertension In African Americans

Florida Public Health Review

This study tests the hypothesis that disparities of hypertension risk in African Americans is related to lead exposure, perceptions of racism, and stress, among urban (Roxbury, MA) and rural (Gadsden, FL) communities. Analysis of preliminary data from Phase I reveal 60% in Gadsden and 39% in Roxbury respondents self-reported having hypertension. In Gadsden 80% people did not know if their residence contained lead paint, compared to 45% in Roxbury. In Gadsden County, 58% of respondents reported experiencing racial discrimination in different settings compared with 72% in Roxbury. In regression analyses high cholesterol emerged as a significant predictors of hypertension in …


Profile And Trends Of Hiv-Infected Patients Who Use Health Department Services In Hillsborough County, Florida Jun 2008

Profile And Trends Of Hiv-Infected Patients Who Use Health Department Services In Hillsborough County, Florida

Florida Public Health Review

The Hillsborough County Health Department (HCHD) provides care for one-third of persons living with HIV/AIDS in Hillsborough County, Florida, who relied on public assistance for medical treatment. This study describes the demographic profile and trends for these patients. Data were obtained retrospectively from the HCHD’s electronic database for 2,298 patients who enrolled for HIV/AIDS care between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2006. The patient sample included 32.6% women, 48.7% African Americans, 19.0% Hispanics, and 30.9% Whites, with mean age 39.7 ± 9.6 years. The proportion of Hispanic enrollees increased annually (p<0.001), exceeding the Hispanic population growth rate in Hillsborough county during that same period (p=0.006). African Americans and Hispanics were more likely to have AIDS at enrollment (p<0.001). Minority women were much more likely to rely on this public-assisted HIV care compared with White female patients. Minority enrollees were also more likely to have AIDS at enrollment to the service. Nearly 98% of patients depended on government-funded health insurance. Whereas the coverage of the Ryan White increased, Medicaid and Medicare decreased for all ethnic groups (p<0.001). The rapid increase in Hispanic enrollment, the increasing dependence on the Ryan White funding, and ethnicity-gender disparities require further investigations. Monitoring demographic profiles and trends of this underserved patient cohort helps the health department assess service needs and effectively allocate existing resources to better serve this HIV-infected population.


Papanicolaou Test In An Urban Std Clinic: The Good And Bad News Jun 2008

Papanicolaou Test In An Urban Std Clinic: The Good And Bad News

Florida Public Health Review

The objective of the study was to review Pap test results and follow-ups in an urban sexually transmitted disease clinic in Miami, Florida. We reviewed the results of all Pap tests conducted in the clinic during 2005. All the samples were processed by a single commercial laboratory. We attempted to contact clients with abnormal results other than inflammation to return to the clinic. Results: of the 849 samples, 622 (73.3%) were normal, 211 (24.8%) were abnormal (inflammation 76 (9.0%), ASCUS 68 (8%), and LGSIL or higher 64 (7.5%), and 16 (1.9%) were considered unsatisfactory for cytological interpretation. We were able …


Using Social Construction Theory As A Foundation For Macro-Level Interventions In Communities Impacted By Hiv And Addictions, David Allen Patterson, Robert H. Keefe Jun 2008

Using Social Construction Theory As A Foundation For Macro-Level Interventions In Communities Impacted By Hiv And Addictions, David Allen Patterson, Robert H. Keefe

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Many professionals working with people living with HIV and alcohol and other drug addictions rely heavily on micro and mezzo-level interventions. The authors argue that although these approaches are effective for helping people living with some social problems they are too narrow for working effectively with HIV-positive and alcohol and other drug-addicted individuals. The authors use social construction theory to analyze the social problems of HIV/AIDS and addictions and make recommendations for macro-level interventions that may help curtail the dual problems of HIV and addictions.


Role Of Place Of Residence On Drinking And Driving Among Students In A Hispanic Serving University Apr 2008

Role Of Place Of Residence On Drinking And Driving Among Students In A Hispanic Serving University

Florida Public Health Review

This study describes the role of place of residence on drinking and driving among students in a large Hispanic- serving institution. The National College Health Assessment survey was administered during the fall of 2004. 1130 randomly selected students completed this anonymous questionnaire. Hispanic students were less likely to drive after drinking compared to non-Hispanic white students, but Hispanic students were more likely to live with parents (55%) compared with non-Hispanic white students (22%). After adjusting for the place of residence, there were no significant differences in drinking and driving between Hispanics and non-Hispanic white students. Therefore, in part, lower levels …


Health Compromising Behaviors By Gender Among Florida Adolescents Apr 2008

Health Compromising Behaviors By Gender Among Florida Adolescents

Florida Public Health Review

No abstract provided.


Wanted -- Focused Leadership Theory And Application In Public Health Professional Preparation Mar 2008

Wanted -- Focused Leadership Theory And Application In Public Health Professional Preparation

Florida Public Health Review

Many faculty and administrators in academic public health believe that professional preparation culminating in the awarding of the MPH degree is necessarily coupled with the development of leadership skills and dynamic leaders. This assumption may indeed be a false one. Integrating specific leadership paradigms into public health professional preparation and applying leadership theory to specific public health problems may assist the leadership development process and increase the possibility that professional preparation and the acquisition of leadership knowledge and skills are more intimately entwined.


Improving The Provision Of Reproductive Health Services To Incarcerated Women Mar 2008

Improving The Provision Of Reproductive Health Services To Incarcerated Women

Florida Public Health Review

Many researchers in social science and criminal justice fields have shown that reproductive health services for women in prisons, jails, and other correctional facilities, including preventive screening, prenatal services, and treatment, is severely lacking. As the rates of incarcerated women continue to soar, for a multitude of political, economic, and structural reasons, it has become increasingly more critical that women’s health issues, including reproductive health, are adequately addressed in the prison health setting. Correctional and health care programs differ strongly in their purpose (punishment or care), primary client served (society or individual), means employed to achieve their purpose (deprivation or …


Changing School Leadership Philosophies To Reverse Childhood Obesity Trends Mar 2008

Changing School Leadership Philosophies To Reverse Childhood Obesity Trends

Florida Public Health Review

Childhood obesity is a public health crisis in the United States. By the year 2015 an estimated 24 percent of all children will be obese. Children who are obese miss on average 20 percent more school than their healthy-weight classmates. Additionally, there is a higher risk of developing diabetes and having high blood pressure, and for being overweight as an adult. Childhood obesity is not caused by one factor but is instead caused by a multitude of social factors, the increased consumption of fast foods, video games replacing outdoor activities and unhealthy food options in schools, just to name a …


Red Light Running Cameras: Would Crashes, Injuries And Automobile Insurance Rates Increase If They Are Used In Florida? Mar 2008

Red Light Running Cameras: Would Crashes, Injuries And Automobile Insurance Rates Increase If They Are Used In Florida?

Florida Public Health Review

Running a red light can cause severe traffic crashes especially when one vehicle runs into the side of another. Red light cameras photograph violators who are sent traffic tickets by mail. Intuitively, cameras appear to be a good idea. However, comprehensive studies conclude cameras actually increase crashes and injuries, providing a safety argument not to install them. Presently, Florida statutes do not permit red light camera evidence to be used as the sole basis for ticketing drivers for violating the law. Legislation to permit camera citations has been proposed since the 1990s, but none has passed to date. This paper …


Red Light Running Cameras – Reader Reactions And Authors’ Reply Mar 2008

Red Light Running Cameras – Reader Reactions And Authors’ Reply

Florida Public Health Review

No abstract provided.


Social Welfare Policy And Public Assistance For Low-Income Substance Abusers: The Impact Of 1996 Welfare Reform Legislation On The Economic Security Of Former Supplemental Security Income Drug Addiction And Alcoholism Beneficiaries, Sean R. Hogan, George J. Unick, Richard Speiglman, Jean C. Norris Mar 2008

Social Welfare Policy And Public Assistance For Low-Income Substance Abusers: The Impact Of 1996 Welfare Reform Legislation On The Economic Security Of Former Supplemental Security Income Drug Addiction And Alcoholism Beneficiaries, Sean R. Hogan, George J. Unick, Richard Speiglman, Jean C. Norris

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Prior to January 1, 1997, individuals with drug- or alcohol-related disabilities could qualify for federal public assistance through the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. During the welfare reforms of the Clinton administration, this policy was changed, resulting in lost income and health care benefits for many lowincome substance abusers. This paper examines the historical underpinnings to the elimination of drug addiction and alcoholism (DA&A) as qualifjing impairments for SSI disability payments. Following this, empirical evidence is presented on the effect this policy change had on the subsequent economic security of former SSI DA&A beneficiaries. Findings indicate that study participants who …


The Need For Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification For Open-Water Lifeguards At Huntington Beach, Ca, Daniel Jerome, Peter R. Chambers, Steve Reuter, John Porcari Jan 2008

The Need For Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification For Open-Water Lifeguards At Huntington Beach, Ca, Daniel Jerome, Peter R. Chambers, Steve Reuter, John Porcari

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

The number of people visiting U.S. beaches increased in 2007 to more than 240 million people. This increase in activities does not come without danger. Lifeguards maintain beach safety, but little research is available to assist us in determining appropriate certification levels for lifeguards. The authors analyzed various injuries that occurred in the open-water environment of Huntington Beach, CA. Based on the nature of the injuries, they attempted to determine the level of training lifeguards needed. The vast majority of injuries (99%) were soft-tissue injuries, musculoskeletal injuries, or environmental injuries. It was felt that lifeguards with first-aid and basic-life-support (BLS) …


The Instructor’S Role In Aquatic Education: Some Personal Observations, Leland Yarger, Steven P. Dalcher Jan 2008

The Instructor’S Role In Aquatic Education: Some Personal Observations, Leland Yarger, Steven P. Dalcher

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

No abstract provided.


International Perspective Of Aquatic Instructors’ Attitudes Toward Teaching Swimming To Children With Disabilities, Phillip Conatser Jan 2008

International Perspective Of Aquatic Instructors’ Attitudes Toward Teaching Swimming To Children With Disabilities, Phillip Conatser

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

The purpose of this study was to examine attitudes of aquatic instructors (N = 23) toward teaching swimming to children with mild and severe disabilities in an inclusive setting. Aquatic instructors from 23 cities in 7 countries participated in the study. Data were collected by mail survey using the Aquatic Instructors Attitudes Toward Teaching Swimming to Individuals With Disabilities questionnaire (Conatser, Block, & Lapore, 2000). A correlated t test showed that aquatic instructors were significantly more favorable toward teaching aquatics to children with mild disabilities than children with severe disabilities. Instructors agreed they should include children with mild disabilities and …


Motivations And Reasons For Exercising In Water: Gender And Age Differences In A Sample Of Spanish Exercisers, Juan Antonio Moreno Murcia, Celestina Martínez Galindo, Pablo Marcos Pardo Jan 2008

Motivations And Reasons For Exercising In Water: Gender And Age Differences In A Sample Of Spanish Exercisers, Juan Antonio Moreno Murcia, Celestina Martínez Galindo, Pablo Marcos Pardo

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

The purposes of this study were, on the one hand, to relate the reasons for exercising with self-determination and, on the other, to check gender and age differences with a sample of 311 exercisers in water. The data were collected using the Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire–2 and Motives for Physical Activities Measure–Revised. A positive and significant correlation was seen between self-determination and the reasons for exercise, with self-determination predicting 22% by enjoyment and 8% by fitness/health reasons. Similarly, the multivariate analysis showed that the women had more self-determination than the men and that they also rated fitness/health, social, enjoyment, …