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Biomedical subjects

J Coreil

Publications and source records attributed to J Coreil.

30 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

Life style--an emergent concept in the sociomedical sciences.

The concept of life style recently has gained prominence in sociomedical research; yet the term remains poorly defined. This paper traces the evolution of the life style concept from its origins in sociological and personality studies to its current use in reference to behavioral risk factors for disease. Particular attention is given to the changes in meaning that have taken place over the past few decades. Similarities between the notion of life style and concepts of cultural integration are noted, and the various uses of life style are categorized along an idealist-materialist continuum. Finally, the authors fault medicalized notions of life style for failing to acknowledge the importance of the context and meaning of health-related behavior.

Attitude to Health↗
PubMed1985

Parental evaluations of a sex education course for young adolescents.

Parental evaluations of their children's participation in a school-based sex education program for young adolescents were conducted by interview using a structured questionnaire. Parents were asked questions concerning: course objectives, course content, instructional materials, expectations, perceived effectiveness, and important outcomes of the instruction. The sex education course was six weeks in length, meeting for 50 minutes daily. The program was comprehensive and did not avoid areas typically thought of as controversial. The results indicated parental support for the sex education program and the evaluation provided useful information for program revision. An examination of the findings suggest a paradox in that parents want their children to be informed about sexuality and to be able to make decisions that would avoid problems, but they are uneasy about dealing directly with sexual behavior.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Ethnicity and cancer prevention in a tri-ethnic urban community.

A pilot study of knowledge and behavior regarding primary cancer prevention was conducted in a tri-ethnic urban community. Knowledge of smoking and dietary risk factors was substantial, but awareness of cancer safeguards involving reduced sun exposure and mouth and proctological examinations was low. One of five respondents had taken measures to prevent cancer, and these persons tended to rate their own risk higher than respondents who made no life-style changes. Self-motivated behavior change focused on avoidance of cancer-promoting food. Blacks differed from whites and Mexican-Americans in awareness of cancer cause and prevention, particularly regarding dietary factors and behavior modification. The findings have implications for the design of cancer control measures in multiethnic communities.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Parallel structures in professional and folk health care: a model applied to rural Hati.

The paper argues that professional and folk sectors of pluralistic health care systems share certain structural features that in some respects have equal or greater importance than obvious differences. A model based on the concepts of primary, secondary and tertiary care is adapted to an analysis of both folk and professional domains of the rural Haitian health care system. Ethnographic and survey data are presented to support the position that underlying similarities are evident in patterns of cost, accessibility, specialization, recruitment and training of practitioners in both health sectors. The level of care model provides an analytic framework which gives proper attention to diversity in traditional healing, which is applicable to other health care systems, and which has relevance for the development of primary care resources in developing areas.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Allocation of family resources for health care in rural Haiti.

A household survey of 230 episodes of infant and child illness in rural Haiti was analyzed to identify sociocultural and environmental factors that determine allocation of family resources for health care. The analysis tested the hypothesis that expenditures of time and money would vary according to expectations about the prognosis for the disease in question, the age and sex of the child, the household composition and family structure, and seasonal fluctuations in weather and financial resources. The results show that these factors are significant predictors of resource allocation, although they do not always produce the kind of influence that was hypothesized. The findings emphasize the importance of cultural and ecological variables, as well as of purely medical and economic factors, in understanding family response to illness. The importance of nonmonetary resources (such as the free time available to adult family members) in that response is also indicated. The study has methodological and practical implications for Haiti and other areas.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

Locus of illness control: a cross-cultural study.

A comparative study of rural Haitian and southern Appalachian health beliefs revealed significant differences both within and between groups regarding perceived control over illness. Data consisted of scores (N = 293) on the Locus of Illness Control Scale, a 15-item forced-choice instrument designed to include two subscales, one focused on illness prevention, the other on cure. Both cultural groups scored more externally on the cure dimension than they did on prevention. Group differences, however, were reversed for the subscales. While Appalachians apparently expect greater success in preventing illness, interestingly, Haitians show greater perceived ability to cure illness. The findings have implications for traditional views of "fatalistic" cultures, for the refinement of concepts related to health locus of control, and for the practical utility of standardized instruments among populations that vary in health problems and therapeutic resources.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Maternal employment and preventive child health practices.

BACKGROUND: The impact of maternal employment on preventive child health practices has not been studied empirically. Using a household production model, we investigated the relationship between level of maternal employment and child immunization status, use of automobile seat belts, and use of bicycle helmets. METHODS: Data from a longitudinal study of public school children in Pinellas County, Florida, were used to draw an analytic sample of 4,153 African American and white non-Hispanic children whose mothers responded to school surveys in 1989, 1991, and 1993. Analyses of the relationship between maternal hours worked per week and preventive child health practices were performed using multiple logistic regression procedures, controlling for maternal age and education, household income, ethnicity and gender of child, and number of siblings living at home. RESULTS: No significant statistical relationships were found between maternal employment and child immunization status or use of automobile seat belts. However, maternal employment was significantly associated with bicycle helmet use, after controlling for confounders. Children of mothers who worked less than 21 h per week were 37% more likely to wear helmets compared with children of mothers who worked 21 h or more per week. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that children of full-time working mothers are not at greater risk for under-immunization or failure to use seat belts regularly, but they may be less likely to use bicycle helmets. These results support the hypothesis that employment does not affect episodic child health practices but may have some negative impact on preventive practices involving daily, repetitive activities. It also suggests that the effects of maternal employment may be greater on preventive practices that are nonnormative and occur in the absence of adult supervision.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Man to Man prostate cancer support groups.

PURPOSE: In this report, the authors describe Man to Man prostate cancer support group characteristics and functioning to identify ways to strengthen the program as it expands nationally and internationally. DESCRIPTION OF STUDY: A mail survey of 38 groups in Florida collected data on group meeting practices, facilitator background, training, and perceived needs, and on participant characteristics and satisfaction with the group. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analyses of survey data were performed. RESULTS: Typical groups included both survivors and significant others, met on a monthly basis, and followed a format that combined educational content with sharing of personal experiences. Facilitators and participants alike were typically retired white men in their 60s and 70s from well-educated professional backgrounds, who joined the groups after undergoing treatment for prostate cancer. High levels of satisfaction with the program's organization and functioning were reported. Perceived needs were in the areas of increasing access to support services, achieving a more diverse membership, and better outreach to newly diagnosed patients. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Healthcare professionals can play a key role in informing newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients about the availability of support groups in their communities. Earlier referral to support groups would enhance patients' access to shared experiences and resources for guidance in treatment decisions. Greater attention to psychosocial issues in Man to Man support groups might better meet the emotional needs of patients and families.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Evaluation of triple touch. An assessment of program delivery.

Triple Touch is a breast health education program developed by the Florida Division of the American Cancer Society in 1994. The program reaches more Florida women each year, and has a larger group of volunteers, than any other breast cancer program sponsored by this American Cancer Society division. The purpose of the evaluation of Triple Touch was to assess and evaluate the program delivery methods of the program. The specific objectives were to identify and describe instructor characteristics, program delivery patterns, and satisfaction with the program. Results will be used for the following purposes: 1) for the future development and implementation of the Triple Touch program; and 2) for building greatly needed research-based knowledge on program implementation and delivery methods. Last, important lessons were learned from using the Collaborative Evaluation Fellows Project model to conduct evaluation research from all perspectives, including those of the evaluation fellow, the evaluation faculty, and the evaluation facilitator.

Breast↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The health of Hispanics in the southwestern United States: an epidemiologic paradox.

Recent reports in the literature on the health status of southwestern Hispanics, most of whom are Mexican Americans, are reviewed critically. The review is organized into the following sections: infant mortality, mortality at other ages, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, other diseases, interview data on physical health, and mental health. Despite methodological limitations of much of the research, it can be concluded with some certainty that the health status of Hispanics in the Southwest is much more similar to the health status of other whites than that of blacks although socioeconomically, the status of Hispanics is closer to that of blacks. This observation is supported by evidence on such key health indicators as infant mortality, life-expectancy, mortality from cardiovascular diseases, mortality from major types of cancer, and measures of functional health. On other health indicators, such as diabetes and infectious and parasitic diseases, Hispanics appear to be clearly disadvantaged relative to other whites. Factors explaining the relative advantages or disadvantages of Hispanics include cultural practices, family supports, selective migration, diet, and genetic heritage. The recently completed Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey will go a long way to provide answers to many questions regarding the health of Hispanics in the Southwest or elsewhere.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A survey of pediatricians' attitudes and practices about maternal employment.

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. Thirty-five percent of the pediatricians failed to inquire about maternal employment. Although only 1 percent advised all mothers not to work, 22 percent said that mothers with children at home should not work. Most pediatricians had traditional conservative attitudes and opinions (exemplified by the statement "a woman's place is in the home") in regard to two factors, "acceptability of maternal employment" and "effects of maternal employment on children." More liberal views were associated with more recent graduation from medical school, being a woman, having a working wife, being in favor of wife's working status, and knowledge of statistics concerning maternal employment. These results suggest that if the practices of those Texas pediatricians who responded correspond with other pediatricians' practices in the United States, a large proportion of pediatricians may not be providing adequate support for the 17 million working mothers and their children.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗